When you say 'mirage' are you speaking French?

'Mirage' is a word borrowed from French 'mirage'. The word entered the English language some time around 1803.

mirage [noun] [1803]

• an optical effect that is sometimes seen at sea, in the desert, or over a hot pavement, that may have the appearance of...
• something illusory and unattainable like a mirage

See 'mirage' on the Loan Words Map

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note: From the French verb mirer meaning to look at which is a borrowing from the Latin mirari to wonder at. This root is also the origin of English words like admire miracle and marvel.
Etymology: French, from 'mirer' to look at, from Latin 'mirari'

See more loan words from 1800s.