Where Words Come From

Salary comes through French from Latin salarium. Its connection with salt does not prove the popular story that Roman soldiers received…

Salary comes through French from Latin salarium. Its connection with salt does not prove the popular story that Roman soldiers received…

Alcohol comes from the Arabic al-kuhl, which originally named a fine cosmetic powder used as eyeliner.

Alcohol comes from the Arabic al-kuhl, which originally named a fine cosmetic powder used as eyeliner.

Bankrupt traces to Italian banca rotta, broken bench. Treat stories about physically smashing a trader's bench as explanations to…

Bankrupt traces to Italian banca rotta, broken bench. Treat stories about physically smashing a trader's bench as explanations to…

Chocolate traces back to the Nahuatl language of the Aztec civilization.

Chocolate traces back to the Nahuatl language of the Aztec civilization.

Ketchup traces to a Chinese or Malay word for fermented fish sauce, far from its modern tomato form.

Ketchup traces to a Chinese or Malay word for fermented fish sauce, far from its modern tomato form.

Shampoo comes from a Hindi word meaning to press or massage, entering English during colonial India.

Shampoo comes from a Hindi word meaning to press or massage, entering English during colonial India.

Avocado came through Spanish from Nahuatl ahuacatl, a word used for the fruit and also for a testicle. Its linguistic route is clearer…

Avocado came through Spanish from Nahuatl ahuacatl, a word used for the fruit and also for a testicle. Its linguistic route is clearer…

Coffee traces through Turkish kahve to Arabic qahwa. A connection between the word and the Ethiopian region Kaffa is uncertain.

Coffee traces through Turkish kahve to Arabic qahwa. A connection between the word and the Ethiopian region Kaffa is uncertain.

Robot entered public use through Karel Čapek's R.U.R., published in 1920. Karel credited his brother Josef with suggesting the word,…

Robot entered public use through Karel Čapek's R.U.R., published in 1920. Karel credited his brother Josef with suggesting the word,…

The sandwich takes its name from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich.

The sandwich takes its name from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich.

Nightmare's mare originally named a mythical demon, unrelated to the animal of the same spelling.

Nightmare's mare originally named a mythical demon, unrelated to the animal of the same spelling.

Assassin is traditionally traced to an Arabic term linked to the historical Hashashin sect.

Assassin is traditionally traced to an Arabic term linked to the historical Hashashin sect.

Alphabet combines the names of the first two Greek letters, alpha and beta.

Alphabet combines the names of the first two Greek letters, alpha and beta.

Muscle derives from the Latin word for little mouse, inspired by the movement beneath the skin.

Muscle derives from the Latin word for little mouse, inspired by the movement beneath the skin.

Disaster literally means bad star, reflecting an old belief in blaming misfortune on the stars.

Disaster literally means bad star, reflecting an old belief in blaming misfortune on the stars.

Quarantine comes from the Italian phrase for forty days, the length of an early isolation period.

Quarantine comes from the Italian phrase for forty days, the length of an early isolation period.

Clue once meant a ball of thread, evoking the myth of Theseus finding his way through a labyrinth.

Clue once meant a ball of thread, evoking the myth of Theseus finding his way through a labyrinth.

Panic takes its name from the Greek god Pan, whose presence was said to cause sudden fear.

Panic takes its name from the Greek god Pan, whose presence was said to cause sudden fear.

Genuine comes from Latin genuinus, meaning native or natural. The often-repeated story about a father placing a child on his knee is an…

Genuine comes from Latin genuinus, meaning native or natural. The often-repeated story about a father placing a child on his knee is an…

Silhouette is named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister known for austerity.

Silhouette is named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister known for austerity.

Boycott takes its name from Captain Charles Boycott, an English land agent targeted by organized protest.

Boycott takes its name from Captain Charles Boycott, an English land agent targeted by organized protest.

Nicotine is named after Jean Nicot, the diplomat credited with introducing tobacco to France.

Nicotine is named after Jean Nicot, the diplomat credited with introducing tobacco to France.

Trivia comes from the Latin trivium, originally naming a place where three roads meet.

Trivia comes from the Latin trivium, originally naming a place where three roads meet.

Companion builds from Latin roots meaning with and bread, describing someone you share a meal with.

Companion builds from Latin roots meaning with and bread, describing someone you share a meal with.

Cereal is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture.

Cereal is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture.

Candidate comes from the Latin candidus, meaning white, referencing the togas worn by Roman office seekers.

Candidate comes from the Latin candidus, meaning white, referencing the togas worn by Roman office seekers.

Gymnasium comes from a Greek root meaning naked, describing where ancient athletes trained unclothed.

Gymnasium comes from a Greek root meaning naked, describing where ancient athletes trained unclothed.

Museum comes from the Greek mouseion, originally a temple dedicated to the Muses.

Museum comes from the Greek mouseion, originally a temple dedicated to the Muses.

Tragedy literally translates from Greek as goat song, though the exact connection remains debated.

Tragedy literally translates from Greek as goat song, though the exact connection remains debated.

Democracy combines Greek words for people and rule, literally meaning rule by the people.

Democracy combines Greek words for people and rule, literally meaning rule by the people.

Safari passed into English through Swahili, ultimately from an Arabic word meaning journey.

Safari passed into English through Swahili, ultimately from an Arabic word meaning journey.

Tycoon comes from a Japanese term meaning great lord, entering English usage in the 1800s.

Tycoon comes from a Japanese term meaning great lord, entering English usage in the 1800s.

Sofa comes from the Arabic suffah, originally a raised platform covered with cushions.

Sofa comes from the Arabic suffah, originally a raised platform covered with cushions.