English Language Blog

Over the last six months I have written a series of posts on different foreign words that have found their way into the English language.  This is the last post I’m going to write in this series.  If you haven’t read my other posts in this series you can easily link to them here: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V.  Of course the 60 words presented in these six posts do not constitute all of the foreign or loan words that are now part of the English language; there are many more.  I hope that by reading these various posts you have become more aware of the fluid nature of languages in general, that is how the words and grammar of one language are shared and shaped by contact with another language.  I am sure you are already aware of how this works in terms of your own native language.  I am sure you have seen how some English words have made their way into the language you speak.  The exchange of words goes both ways, to and from English, and this has happened for hundreds of years and will continue to do so in the future.
Here are 10 more examples of this linguistic interchange and loan words in English.

breeze (Portuguese) – a gentle wind
For example: We sat on the front porch looking at the ocean enjoying the light breeze.

caboose (Dutch) – the last railroad car on a trail, usually with accommodations for the train crew
For example: There were people standing on the caboose waving goodbye as the train left the station.

et cetra or etc. (Latin) – an expression or written statement used at the end of a list to indicate that further similar items are included in the list
For example:  At the store please buy as much fruit as you can, fruit like: apples, pears, oranges, peaches, plums, etc.

ghoul (Arabic) – an evil spirit or phantom
For example: All the ghouls, goblins, and ghosts come out on Halloween night.

loot (Hindi) – goods or private property taken from an enemy
For example: The pirates examined all of their loot once they were safe on the island.

maestro (Italian) – a distinguished or famous musician
For example: They are bringing a new conductor to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, I wonder who the new maestro will be.

mogul (Persian) – an important or powerful person
For example: Steven Spielberg is an entertainment mogul.

ski(es) (Norwegian) – long narrow pieces of hard flexible material that are fastened under the feet for gliding over snow
For example: I bought a new pair of skies for this winter and I hope they will make me faster.

to schlep (Yiddish) – to haul or carry something that is heavy
For example: At the airport I had to schlep all my luggage up the stairs because the elevators were broken.

quasi (Latin) – resembling something; having a likeness to something
For example: The fundraiser was a quasi success.  We didn’t raise as much money as we wanted, but we raised some.

Answer to yesterday’s practice exercise:

Gabriele Blogger
Transparent Language
12 Murphy Drive
Nashua, NH 03062

In this post I am going to introduce you to 10 more words that have been borrowed from other languages and incorporated into English.  In the process of borrowing a word from another language sometimes the meaning changes slightly from its meaning in the original language.  This is the case with some of the words below, as well as other words I have highlighted in this series of posts on foreign words in English.  The study of etymology is the study of the history of words.  It is by studying the history of words that linguists are able to determine what words are borrowed from other languages and which have developed in the language over time.  If a word was originally borrowed into English, the etymology of the word looks at the borrowing process tracing the word back to when and how it first entered the English language. Tracing a words origin in English can be a long process since some foreign words in English have been around for a long time (for example: words borrowed from Latin) on the other hand other words are newly borrowed (for example: words from Swahili).
Although the words below represent foreign words that have been borrowed from other languages they are all common English words now.

avalanche (Romansch – closely related to French) – a snow slide; a sudden movement of ice and snow down a mountain
For example: After the avalanche the rescue team went out to look for people trapped under the snow.

faux pas (French) – an embarrassing action or statement in a social situation
For example: Talking about how much money you make when you first meet someone is a faux pas.

incognito (Italian) – having one’s true identity concealed; being in disguise
For example: The spy dressed incognito in order to find out the information he needed.

hubris (Greek) – excessive pride or self-confidence
For example: After winning the race Joanna walked around with hubris that made the other competitors upset.

mantra (Sanskrit) – a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated to help with concentration during meditation
Fro example: I practice meditation every morning while repeating the mantra, “Today is my day.”

pro bono (Latin) – something that is for free for the public good
For example: The lawyer took on the pro bono case because the client was unable to pay.

rapport (French) – a close relationship in which people are able to understand each other’s feelings and ideas
For example: Jacob developed good rapport with his boss in a short period of time.

robot (Czech) – a machine that is able to complete actions automatically; a machine that looks like a human being and replicate human functions
For example: I want to learn how to build a robot that will do my homework.

safari (Swahili) – an expedition to observe or hunt for large animals in nature
For example: My father loves to hunt and has always wanted to go on a safari in Africa.

status quo (Latin) – the existing or current state of affairs
For example: The president would like to maintain the status quo after the election.

Here is a quick expertise to help you think about parts of speech and the words above.   By reading the example sentences above you should be able to figure out which words are nouns, verbs, adjective or adverbs.  Think about this and I will give you the answers tomorrow.

As I mentioned in my first post in this ongoing series, like most other languages, English contains words that are directly taken from other languages.  Sometimes words that come from one language are used in a new language without much or any change are called “loanwords.” A loanword can also be called “a borrowing.”  The verbs “loan” and “borrow” are of course metaphors, as there is no actual lending process happening, but it is nicer to say words are loaned or borrowed, than it is to say the words are “stolen.” In the case of foreign words entering the English language, there certainly is a transfer process from one language to another going on.  But there often is no “returning” of words to the source language, we in English often just keep the words and use then how we like, sometimes changing the meaning.  Loanwords simply come to be used and incorporated into the general vocabulary.  In general the initial borrowing of words between languages happens because of cultural contact between the two language communities, but sometimes, later on, people don’t even remember that the word came from different language to begin with.

Here are ten more common foreign words you will hear in English along with their language of origin, definition, and an example of usage.

ad hoc (Latin) –  This term means improvised or provisional.
For example: At work we create ad hoc committees to solve different problems, as needed.

delicatessen (German) – In English the term is almost exclusively used to describe shops that sell food stuffs such as ready-to-eat food, often cold meats, cheeses, and salads.  The word is also often shortened to “deli.”
For example: Can you pick me up a pound of lunch meat at the deli?

confetti (Italian) – Small pieces of colored paper thrown during a celebration, such as a wedding. It is an America tradition to throw confetti at weddings.  This tradition is related to the older tradition of throwing rice, dates, or nuts at brides and grooms at the end of their wedding.  This was done to bring good luck. It represents fertility and abundance.
For example: After the party I had confetti in my hair.

glitch (Yiddish and German) – An unexpected setback in a plan or a sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment.
For example: Their was a glitch in our plan to drive across country, and in the end we had to call the whole trip off.

karaoke (Japanese)  – A form of entertainment, often found at bars, in which people take turns singing popular songs into a microphone to prerecorded background tracks.
For example: Who wants to go sing karaoke with me tonight?  I know a great bar we can go to.

ketchup (Malay) – Originally from the word “kichap.”  This is an American condiment that is famous around the world.  This is a sauce made primarily from tomatoes and vinegar.
For example: Please pass the ketchup, I like it on my fries.

kudos (Greek) – A word used to praise or honor someone for their achievement.
For example: Kudos on your new job!  When do you start?

protege (French) – This is a person who receives support and mentorship (sometimes from an influential patron) to help further the protege’s career or work.
For example: Michale is my new protege; he is here to learn everything I know.

pajamas (Persian)  – Originally from the word “paijama.” These are loose clothing (sometimes pants and a shirt) worn for sleeping.  This word is also often shortened to “pj’s.”
For example: I told the children to put on their pajamas and brush their teeth, then I’ll read them a bedtime story.

wanderlust (German) – A strong desire to travel.
For example: Mary is a woman consumed by wanderlust.  I doubt she’ll ever settle down.