Do you speak a little Dutch when you say 'dope'?

'Dope' is a word borrowed from Dutch 'dope'. The word entered the English language some time around 1786.

dope [noun] [1786]

• a thick liquid or pasty preparation
• a preparation for giving a desired quality to a substance or surface
• absorbent or adsorbent material used in various manufacturing processes (as the making of dynamite)
• an illicit, habit-forming, or narcotic drug

See 'dope' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Dutch.

Etymology: Dutch 'doop' sauce, from 'dopen' to dip; akin to Old English 'dyppan' to dip

See more loan words from 1700s.