The word 'wanderlust' is originally from German 'Wanderlust'

'Wanderlust' is a word borrowed from German 'Wanderlust'. The word entered the English language some time around 1875.

wanderlust [noun] [1875]

Strong longing for or impulse toward
Meaning: strong desire to travel.

Etymology: Borrowed from German Wanderlust.

Topics: Travel:Transport.

Origin: From German to English.

note: Meaning: strong desire to travel. Etymology: Borrowed from German Wanderlust.

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The word 'tycoon' originally came from Japanese as 'taikun'

'Tycoon' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'taikun'. The word entered the English language some time around 1857.

tycoon [noun] [1857]

• shogun
• a top leader (as in politics)
• a businessman of exceptional wealth and power
• magnate

Meaning: shogun; a top leader (as in politics); a businessman of exceptional wealth and power : magnate.

Etymology: Japanese taikun.

Topics: Economy:Finance.

Origin: From Japanese to English.

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How the German language influenced English with the word 'zeitgeist'

'Zeitgeist' is a word borrowed from German 'zeitgeist'. The word entered the English language some time around 1835.

zeitgeist [noun] [1835]

The general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era
Meaning: the general intellectual; moral; and cultural climate of an era.

Etymology: German; from Zeit + Geist spirit.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From German to English.

note: Etymology: Borrowed directly from German Zeitgeist. It is a compound of Zeit (time) and Geist (spirit/ghost or mind). Definition: The spirit of the time; the defining spirit/mood/characteristic attitude of a particular period in history often influencing the culture/politics/technology of that era.

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When you say 'gorgonzola' are you speaking Italian?

'Gorgonzola' is a word borrowed from Italian 'gorgonzola'. The word entered the English language some time around 1878.

gorgonzola [noun] [1878]

A pungent blue cheese of Italian origin
Meaning: Blue-veined Italian cheese with sharp flavor.

Etymology: Named for Gorgonzola in Italy where the cheese originated.

Origin: From Italian to English.

note: Meaning: Blue-veined Italian cheese with sharp flavor. Etymology: Named for Gorgonzola in Italy.

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The Spanish (Mexico) roots of the word 'tequila'

'Tequila' is a word borrowed from Spanish (Mexico) 'tequila'. The word entered the English language some time around 1849.

tequila [noun] [1849]

A Mexican liquor distilled from the fermented sap of an agave (Agave tequilana)
Meaning: a Mexican liquor distilled from the fermented sap of an agave ( Agave tequilana ).

Etymology: Spanish; from Tequila; town in Jalisco state; Mexico.

Topics: Food:Beverages.

Origin: From Spanish to Nahuatl to English.

note: A Mexican spirit distilled from blue agave with protected designation around the town of Tequila Spanish name from the place likely of Nahuatl origin often contrasted with mezcal.

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The Latin origins of the word 'tonsorial'

'Tonsorial' is a word borrowed from Latin 'tonsorius'. The word entered the English language some time around 1813.

tonsorial [adjective] [1813]

Of or relating to a barber or the work of a barber
Meaning: relating to barbers or barbering.

Etymology: From Latin tonsorius from tondere.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Meaning: Relating to barbers or barbering. Etymology: From Latin tonsorius from tondere. Path: Latin > English.

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The word 'quinine' originally came from Quechua (Inca) as 'kina-kina'

'Quinine' is a word borrowed from Quechua (Inca) 'kina-kina'. The word entered the English language some time around 1825.

quinine [noun] [1825]

• a bitter crystalline alkaloid CHNO from cinchona bark used in medicine
• a salt of quinine used especially as an antipyretic, antimalarial, and bitter tonic

Meaning: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C 20 H 24 N 2 O 2 from cinchona bark used in medicine; a salt of quinine used especially as an antipyretic; antimalarial; and bitter tonic.

Etymology: Spanish quina cinchona; from Quechua kina bark.

Topics: Medicine:Remedies.

Origin: From French to Spanish to English.

note: Derived from French which took it from the Spanish quina or quinina based on the Quechua (Inca language) word kina-kina used to describe the bark of the Cinchona tree which is a source of the antimalarial drug.

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When you say 'leitmotif' are you speaking German?

'Leitmotif' is a word borrowed from German 'leitmotiv'. The word entered the English language some time around 1876.

leitmotif [noun] [circa 1876]

• an associated melodic phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation especially in...
• a dominant recurring theme

Meaning: an associated melodic phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of an idea; person; or situation especially in a Wagnerian music drama; a dominant recurring theme.

Etymology: German Leitmotiv; from leiten to lead + Motiv motive.

Topics: Arts:Music.

Origin: From German to English.

note: Etymology: Borrowed from German Leitmotiv coined in the 19th century. It is a compound of leiten (to lead) and Motiv (motive). Definition: A recurring musical theme or phrase associated with a particular character/idea/mood/location often used in operas (especially Richard Wagner's) and film scores to provide structure and thematic storytelling.

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When you say 'credenza' are you speaking Italian?

'Credenza' is a word borrowed from Italian 'credenza'. The word entered the English language some time around 1880.

credenza [noun] [1880]

• credence
• a sideboard, buffet, or bookcase patterned after a Renaissance
• one without legs

Meaning: credence 3; a sideboard; buffet; or bookcase patterned after a Renaissance credence; one without legs.

Etymology: Italian; literally; belief; confidence; from Medieval Latin credentia.

Topics: Household:Furniture.

Origin: From Italian to Latin to English.

note: From the Italian credenza meaning belief trust or confidence which derives from the Medieval Latin credentia and Latin credere (to believe). It refers to the 16th-century Italian practice of placing food on a sideboard to be tasted by servants for poison before serving it to nobles symbolizing trust in the food's safety.

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

'Kimono' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'kimono'. The word entered the English language some time around 1886.

kimono [noun] [1886]

• a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash as an outer garment by the Japanese
• a loose dressing gown or jacket

Meaning: Japanese robe with wide sleeves.

Etymology: Borrowed from Japanese kimono.

Topics: Clothing:Garments.

Origin: From Japanese to English.

note: Meaning: Japanese robe with wide sleeves. Etymology: Borrowed from Japanese kimono.

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The Latin roots of the word 'liminal'

'Liminal' is a word borrowed from Latin 'limen'. The word entered the English language some time around 1884.

liminal [adjective] [1884]

• of or relating to a sensory threshold
• barely perceptible
• of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition
• in-between

Meaning: of or relating to a sensory threshold; barely perceptible; of; relating to; or being an intermediate state; phase; or condition : in-between transitional in the liminal state between life and death Deborah Jowitt.

Etymology: Latin limin-; limen threshold.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Derived from the Latin limen meaning threshold. Liminal entered English in the late 19th century through psychological contexts - referring to a threshold of perception.

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The word 'hinterland' is a loan word from German 'Hinterland'

'Hinterland' is a word borrowed from German 'Hinterland'. The word entered the English language some time around 1890.

hinterland [noun] [1890]

• a region lying inland from a coast
• a region remote from urban areas
• a region lying beyond major metropolitan or cultural centers

Meaning: inland region beyond coast.

Etymology: Borrowed from German Hinterland.

Topics: Geography:Regions.

Origin: From German to English.

note: Meaning: inland region beyond coast. Etymology: Borrowed from German Hinterland.

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The Russian origins of the word 'karakul'

'Karakul' is a word borrowed from Russian 'karakul'. The word entered the English language some time around 1853.

karakul [noun] [1853]

• any of a breed of hardy fat-tailed sheep of central Asian origin with a narrow body and coarse wiry fur
• the usually curly glossy black coat of a very young karakul lamb valued as fur

Meaning: any of a breed of hardy fat-tailed sheep of central Asian origin with a narrow body and coarse wiry fur; the usually curly glossy black coat of a very young karakul lamb valued as fur compare broadtail 2 persian lamb 1.

Etymology: Karakul; village in Uzbekistan.

Topics: Animals:Mammals, Materials:Textiles.

Origin: From Russian to English.

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When you say 'macramé' are you speaking Arabic?

'Macramé' is a word borrowed from Arabic 'miqrama'. The word entered the English language some time around 1865.

macramé [noun] [1865]

• a coarse lace or fringe made by knotting threads or cords in a geometrical pattern
• the art of tying knots in patterns

Meaning: a coarse lace or fringe made by knotting threads or cords in a geometrical pattern; the art of tying knots in patterns.

Etymology: French or Italian; French macrame; from Italian macrame; from Turkish makrama napkin; towel; from Arabic miqrama coverlet.

Topics: Materials:Textiles.

Origin: From Arabic to English.

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Did you know that 'palimpsest' is actually Greek?

'Palimpsest' is a word borrowed from Greek 'palimpsēstos'. The word entered the English language some time around 1825.

palimpsest [noun] [1825]

• writing material (as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased
• something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface

Meaning: writing material (as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased; something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface Canada ... is a palimpsest ; an overlay of classes and generations Margaret Atwood.

Etymology: Latin palimpsestus; from Greek palimpsestos scraped again; from palin + psen to rub; scrape; akin to Sanskrit psati; babhasti he chews.

Topics: Arts:Visual.

Origin: From Greek to English.

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Is 'sauna' English, or is it actually Finnish?

'Sauna' is a word borrowed from Finnish 'sauna'. The word entered the English language some time around 1881.

sauna [noun] [1881]

• a Finnish steam bath in which the steam is provided by water thrown on hot stones
• a bathhouse or room used for such a bath
• a dry heat bath
• a room or cabinet used for such a bath

Meaning: Finnish steam bath with hot stones.

Etymology: Borrowed from Finnish sauna.

Topics: Health:Wellness.

Origin: From Finnish to English.

note: Meaning: Finnish steam bath with hot stones. Etymology: Borrowed from Finnish sauna.

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When you hear 'paprika' are you hearing English or Hungarian?

'Paprika' is a word borrowed from Hungarian 'paprika'. The word entered the English language some time around 1843.

paprika [noun] [1843]

• a usually mild red condiment consisting of the dried finely ground pods of various sweet peppers
• a sweet pepper used for making paprika

Meaning: mild red pepper spice.

Etymology: From Hungarian paprika from Serbian Croatian papar from Latin piper.

Topics: Plants:Herbs, Food:Spices.

Origin: From Latin to Serbian Croatian to Hungarian to English.

note: Meaning: mild red pepper spice. Etymology: From Hungarian paprika from Serbian Croatian papar from Latin piper.

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The German origins of the word 'kindergarten'

'Kindergarten' is a word borrowed from German 'Kindergarten'. The word entered the English language some time around 1852.

kindergarten [noun] [1852]

A school or class for children usually from four to six years old
Meaning: school for very young children.

Etymology: Borrowed from German Kindergarten.

Topics: Society:Education.

Origin: From German to English.

note: Meaning: school for very young children. Etymology: Borrowed from German Kindergarten.

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The Latin roots of the word 'miscegenation'

'Miscegenation' is a word borrowed from Latin 'miscēre'. The word entered the English language some time around 1863.

miscegenation [noun] [1863]

• a mixture of races
• marriage, cohabitation, or sexual intercourse between a white person and a member of another race

Meaning: a mixture of races; marriage; cohabitation; or sexual intercourse between a white person and a member of another race.

Etymology: irregular from Latin miscere to mix + genus race mix; kin.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From Latin to English.

note: Coined in 1864 in the United States by journalist David Goodman Croly. Etymology: A hybrid word formed from two Latin roots - miscēre: to mix (from PIE root *meik-) and genus: race/kind/descent (from PIE root *gene-). Context: miscegenation first appeared in an anonymous pro-abolitionist pamphlet designed to stir up controversy during the 1864 U.S. presidential election intended to replace the older term amalgamation.

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Do you speak a little Dutch when you say 'hunk'?

'Hunk' is a word borrowed from Dutch 'hunk'. The word entered the English language some time around 1813.

hunk [noun] [circa 1813]

• a large lump, piece, or portion
• an attractive and usually well-built man

Meaning: a large lump; piece; or portion a hunk of bread; an attractive and usually well-built man.

Etymology: Dutch dialect hunke.

Topics: Society:Culture.

Origin: From Dutch to English.

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