Loan Words in the English Language: January 2025

Sunday, 5 January 2025

The Latin origins of the word 'biga'

'Biga' is a word borrowed from Latin 'biga'.

biga

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note: A two-horse chariot of ancient Mediterranean countries. Latin from bi (two) + -ga (from jugum yoke).
Etymology: -

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The word 'Lego' is originally from Danish 'lege'

'Lego' is a word borrowed from Danish 'lege'.

Lego

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note: 1950s: from Danish leg godt ‘play well’
Etymology: -

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How the French language influenced English with the word 'chut'

'Chut' is a word borrowed from French 'chut'.

chut

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note: A sound formed by suction rather than pressure - cht or sht with prolonged sh. Used to express impatience. French - of imitative origin.
Etymology: -

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When you say 'clat' are you speaking Danish?

'Clat' is a word borrowed from Danish 'klat'.

clat

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note: A clot or clod (as in a blob of dirt or dung).
Etymology: -

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The word 'oblate' is originally from Latin 'oblātus'

'Oblate' is a word borrowed from Latin 'oblātus'. The word entered the English language some time around 1705.

oblate [adjective] [1705]

Flattened or depressed at the poles

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Etymology: Probably from New Latin 'oblatus' from 'ob-' + '-latus' (as in 'prolatus' prolate)

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When you hear 'anestrus' are you hearing English or Latin?

'Anestrus' is a word borrowed from Latin 'anestrus'. The word entered the English language some time around 1927.

anestrus [noun] [1927]

The period of sexual quiescence between two periods of sexual activity in cyclically breeding mammals

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Etymology: New Latin

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The Latin roots of the word 'alation'

'Alation' is a word borrowed from Latin 'alatus'.

alation

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note: The state of having wings. From Latin alatus from ala.
Etymology: -

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The word 'caba' is originally from French 'cabas'

'Caba' is a word borrowed from French 'cabas'.

caba

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note: A flat basket or frail for figs etc. A ladys flat workbasket reticule or handbag. From Old Occitan cabas a word of Iberian origin (compare Catalan cabàs Old Galician-Portuguese cabaz Spanish capazo).
Etymology: -

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Is 'ayu' English, or is it actually Japanese?

'Ayu' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'ayu'.

ayu

(details not available)

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note: A sweetfish - an amphidromous fish of East Asia - the only member of its genus and family - Plecoglossus altivelis. Named and prized for its sweet-tasting flesh. From Japanese (ayu: sweetfish).
Etymology: -

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The word 'golf' is originally from Dutch 'kolf'

'Golf' is a word borrowed from Dutch 'kolf'. The word entered the English language some time around the 15th century.

golf [noun] [15th century]

A game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9...

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note: Although modern golf is a Scottish invention the word was first documented in Dutch: 1261 Middle Dutch manuscript of the Flemish poet Jacob van Maerlant's Boeck Merlijn. The first Scottish mention was in a 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament.
Etymology: Middle English (Scots)

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Do you speak a little Greek when you say 'agape'?

'Agape' is a word borrowed from Greek 'agape'. The word entered the English language some time around 1607.

agape [noun] [1607]

love feast
love

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Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek 'agapē' literally, love

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The Latin origins of the word 'acta'

'Acta' is a word borrowed from Latin 'acta'.

acta [foreign term] [(unknown)]

The outcome justifies the deed

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note: Recorded proceedings - official records as of acts deeds proceedings transactions or the like.
Etymology: Latin

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Is 'bandy' English, or is it actually French?

'Bandy' is a word borrowed from French 'bander'. The word entered the English language some time around 1577.

bandy [verb] [1577]

to bat (as a tennis ball) to and fro
to toss from side to side or pass about from one to another often in a careless or inappropriate manner
exchange
to exchange (words) argumentatively

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note: From the Middle French bander (to strike back and forth) and originally referred to a seventeenth-century Irish game similar to field hockey.
Etymology: origin unknown

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The word 'adit' is originally from Latin 'aditus'

'Adit' is a word borrowed from Latin 'aditus'. The word entered the English language some time around 1602.

adit [noun] [1602]

A nearly horizontal passage from the surface in a mine

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Etymology: Latin 'aditus' approach, from 'adire' to go to, from 'ad-' + 'ire' to go

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The word 'abacus' is originally from Greek 'abakos'

'Abacus' is a word borrowed from Greek 'abakos'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

abacus [noun] [14th century]

an instrument for performing calculations by sliding counters along rods or in grooves
a slab that forms the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column

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Etymology: Latin, from Greek 'abak-, abax' literally, slab

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Did you know that 'cere' is actually Latin?

'Cere' is a word borrowed from Latin 'cerare'. The word entered the English language some time around the 15th century.

cere [verb] [15th century]

To wrap in or as if in a

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Etymology: Middle English, to impregnate with wax, from Middle French 'cirer' from Latin 'cerare' from 'cera'

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The Italian roots of the word 'mamma'

'Mamma' is a word borrowed from Italian 'mamma'. The word entered the English language some time around 1693.

mamma [noun] [circa 1693]

A gland and its accessory parts

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Etymology: Latin, mother, breast, of baby-talk origin

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The word 'campanile' originally came from Italian as 'campana'

'Campanile' is a word borrowed from Italian 'campana'. The word entered the English language some time around 1640.

campanile [noun] [1640]

A usually freestanding bell tower

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Etymology: Italian, from 'campana' bell, from Late Latin

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Is 'ameen' English, or is it actually Hindi?

'Ameen' is a word borrowed from Hindi 'amīn'.

ameen

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note: A confidential agent - especially a minor official of the judicial and revenue departments.
Etymology: -

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Friday, 3 January 2025

The Spanish roots of the word 'peccadillo'

'Peccadillo' is a word borrowed from Spanish 'peccadillo'. The word entered the English language some time around 1600.

peccadillo [noun] [1600]

A slight offense

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Etymology: Spanish 'pecadillo' diminutive of 'pecado' sin, from Latin 'peccatum' from neuter of 'peccatus' past participle of 'peccare'

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When you say 'mayonnaise' are you speaking French?

'Mayonnaise' is a word borrowed from French 'mahonnais'. The word entered the English language some time around 1841.

mayonnaise [noun] [1841]

A dressing made chiefly of egg yolks, vegetable oils, and vinegar or lemon juice

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note: French probably from the feminine of mahonnais ‘of or from Port Mahon’ the capital of Minorca.
Etymology: French

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Did you know that 'fog' is actually Scandinavian?

'Fog' is a word borrowed from Scandinavian 'fogg'. The word entered the English language some time around 1544.

fog [noun] [1544]

vapor condensed to fine particles of water suspended in the lower atmosphere that differs from cloud only in being near...
a fine spray or a foam for firefighting
a murky condition of the atmosphere or a substance causing it
a state of confusion or bewilderment

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note: Late Middle English: origin uncertain; perhaps related to Norwegian fogg long scattered grass on damp ground.
Etymology: Probably back-formation from 'foggy'

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