When you say 'pistachio' are you speaking Persian?

'Pistachio' is a word borrowed from Persian 'pistakē'. The word entered the English language some time around 1598.

pistachio [noun] [1598]

• a small Asian tree (Pistacia vera) of the cashew family whose drupaceous fruit contains a greenish edible seed
• its seed

See 'pistachio' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Italian 'pistacchio' from Latin 'pistacium' pistachio nut, from Greek 'pistakion' from 'pistakē' pistachio tree, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian 'pistah' pistachio tree

See more loan words from 1500s.