The Spanish word 'corto' meaning 'short' comes from the Latin word 'curtus', which meant 'cut short' or 'shortened'. The Latin word evolved in Spanish with a slight vowel change from 'u' to 'o', but maintained its basic meaning related to shortness or reduced length.

Some related Spanish words include 'cortado' (cut), 'cortar' (to cut), and 'corteza' (bark/crust - something cut from the outside). All these words share the same Latin root and maintain connections to the idea of cutting or being shortened.

English speakers might recognize this root in words like 'curt' (brief or terse in speech), 'curtail' (to cut short or reduce), and 'curtains' (originally referring to a cut piece of fabric). The word 'short' itself isn't related - it comes from a different Germanic root.