An Etymological Look at Crème de la Crème

the earliest surviving written record of this word is from 1332, from Old French cresme, blend of Late Latin chrisma "ointment" (from Greek chrisma "unguent"), and Late Latin cramum "cream," perhaps from Gaulish. Replaced Old English ream. Re-borrowed from French 19c., as creme. Figurative sense of "most excellent element or part" is from 1581.

Crème

the earliest surviving written record of this word is from 1845, from French crème.

Crème de la Crème

the earliest surviving written record of this phrase is from 1848, used to define "elite of society", "best of the best", "the cream of the crop". Literally "cream of the cream".