When you hear 'elite' are you hearing English or French?

'Elite' is a word borrowed from French 'élite'. The word entered the English language some time around 1823.

elite [noun] [1823]

• the choice part
• cream
• the best of a class
• the socially superior part of society
• a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence

See 'elite' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: French 'élite' from Old French 'eslite' from feminine of 'eslit' past participle of 'eslire' to choose, from Latin 'eligere'

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French 'freschete' in the English language

'Freshet' is a word borrowed from French 'freschete'. The word entered the English language some time around 1596.

freshet [noun] [1596]

• stream
• a great rise or overflowing of a stream caused by heavy rains or melted snow
• a swelling quantity
• influx

See 'freshet' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: -

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When you hear 'samurai' are you hearing English or Japanese?

'Samurai' is a word borrowed from Japanese 'samurai'. The word entered the English language some time around 1727.

samurai [noun] [1727]

• a military retainer of a Japanese daimyo practicing the code of conduct of Bushido
• the warrior aristocracy of Japan

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Etymology: Japanese

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Do you speak a little German when you say 'nix'?

'Nix' is a word borrowed from German 'nix'. The word entered the English language some time around 1789.

nix [noun] [1789]

Nothing

See 'nix' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: German 'nichts' nothing

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When you hear 'moron' are you hearing English or Greek?

'Moron' is a word borrowed from Greek 'mōros'. The word entered the English language some time around 1910.

moron [noun] [1910]

• a person affected with mild mental retardation
• a very stupid person

See 'moron' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Irregular from Greek 'mōros' foolish, stupid

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Hindi 'chá' in the English language

'Chai' is a word borrowed from Hindi 'chá'. The word entered the English language some time around 1974.

chai [noun] [1974]

A beverage that is a blend of black tea, honey, spices, and milk

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note: Possibly originated from Chinese chá.
Etymology: Turkish 'çay' & Russian, Persian, Hindi, & Urdu 'chay' tea

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

'Aspic' is a word borrowed from French 'aspic'. The word entered the English language some time around 1530.

aspic [noun] [1530]

Asp

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note: A savory jelly usually made with meat or fish stock and gelatin. Normally chilled and used as a garnish and coating for meats seafoods eggs etc.
Etymology: Middle French, alteration of 'aspe' from Latin 'aspis'

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The Dutch roots of the word 'skipper'

'Skipper' is a word borrowed from Dutch 'schipper'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

skipper [noun] [14th century]

• the master of a ship
• the master of a fishing, small trading, or pleasure boat
• the captain or first pilot of an airplane
• a person in a position of leadership

See 'skipper' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Middle English, from Middle Dutch 'schipper' from 'schip' ship; akin to Old English 'scip' ship

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

'Suede' is a word borrowed from French 'Suède (gants de)'. The word entered the English language some time around 1883.

suede [noun] [1883]

• leather with a napped surface
• a fabric finished with a nap to simulate suede

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Etymology: French 'gants de Suède' Swedish gloves

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The Afrikaans origins of the word 'veld'

'Veld' is a word borrowed from Afrikaans 'veld'. The word entered the English language some time around 1835.

veld [noun] [1835]

A grassland especially of southern Africa usually with scattered shrubs or trees

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Etymology: Afrikaans 'veld' from Dutch, field; akin to Old English 'feld' field

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Is 'waffle' English, or is it actually Dutch?

'Waffle' is a word borrowed from Dutch 'waffle'. The word entered the English language some time around 1744.

waffle [noun] [1744]

A crisp cake of batter baked in a waffle iron

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Etymology: Dutch 'wafel' from Middle Dutch 'wafele;' akin to Old High German 'waba' honeycomb, Old English 'wefan' to weave

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Did you know that 'chiaroscuro' is actually Italian?

'Chiaroscuro' is a word borrowed from Italian 'chiaro oscuro'. The word entered the English language some time around 1686.

chiaroscuro [noun] [1686]

• pictorial representation in terms of light and shade without regard to color
• the arrangement or treatment of light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art
• the interplay or contrast of dissimilar qualities (as of mood or character)
• a 16th century woodcut technique involving the use of several blocks to print different tones of the same color

See 'chiaroscuro' on the Loan Words Map

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Etymology: Italian, from 'chiaro' clear, light + 'oscuro' obscure, dark

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The Gaelic origins of the word 'blarney'

'Blarney' is a word borrowed from Gaelic 'blarney'. The word entered the English language some time around 1784.

blarney [noun] [1784]

• skillful flattery
• blandishment
• nonsense

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Etymology: a stone in Blarney Castle, near Cork, Ireland, held to bestow skill in flattery on those who kiss it

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