When you say 'gum' are you speaking Egyptian?

'Gum' is a word borrowed from Egyptian 'kemai'. The word entered the English language some time before the 12th century.

gum [noun] [before 12th century]

• the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws
• the alveolar portion of a jaw with its enveloping soft tissues

See 'gum' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Egyptian.

note: Middle English: from Old French gomme based on Latin gummi from Greek kommi from Egyptian kemai.
Etymology: Middle English 'gome' from Old English 'gōma' palate; akin to Old High German 'guomo' palate, and perhaps to Greek 'chaos' abyss

See more loan words from before 1200.