How the Japanese language influenced English with the word 'yakuza'

'Yakuza' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'yakuza'. The word entered the English language some time around 1964.

yakuza [noun] [1964]

• a Japanese gangster
• an organized crime syndicate in Japan

See 'yakuza' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Japanese.

Etymology: Japanese, ruffian, gangster

See more loan words from 1960s.