{"id":956,"date":"2012-04-27T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2012-04-27T13:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=956"},"modified":"2012-03-15T19:18:25","modified_gmt":"2012-03-15T23:18:25","slug":"foreign-words-in-english-part-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/foreign-words-in-english-part-iii\/","title":{"rendered":"Foreign Words in English (Part III)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I mentioned in my first post<\/a> in this ongoing series, like most other languages, English contains words that are directly taken from other languages. \u00a0Sometimes words that come from one language are used in a new language without much or any change are called \u201cloanwords.\u201d A loanword can also be called \u201ca borrowing.\u201d\u00a0 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 \u201cstolen.” In the case of foreign words entering the English language, there certainly is a transfer process from one language to another going on.\u00a0 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. \u00a0Loanwords simply come to be used and incorporated into the general vocabulary.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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

ad hoc<\/em><\/strong> (Latin) \u2013 \u00a0This term means improvised or provisional.
\nFor example: At work we create ad hoc<\/em> committees to solve different problems, as needed.<\/p>\n

delicatessen<\/strong><\/em> (German) \u2013 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. \u00a0The word is also often shortened to \u201cdeli.\u201d
\nFor example: Can you pick me up a pound of lunch meat at the deli<\/em>?<\/p>\n

confetti<\/strong><\/em> (Italian) \u2013 Small pieces of colored paper thrown during a celebration, such as a wedding. It is an America tradition to throw confetti at weddings. \u00a0This tradition is related to the older tradition of throwing rice, dates, or nuts at brides and grooms at the end of their wedding. \u00a0This was done to bring good luck. It represents fertility and abundance.
\nFor example: After the party I had confetti<\/em> in my hair.<\/p>\n

glitch<\/strong><\/em> (Yiddish and German) \u2013 An unexpected setback in a plan or a sudden, usually temporary malfunction or irregularity of equipment.
\nFor example: Their was a glitch<\/em> in our plan to drive across country, and in the end we had to call the whole trip off.<\/p>\n

karaoke<\/strong><\/em> (Japanese) \u00a0\u2013 A form of entertainment, often found at bars, in which people take turns singing popular songs into a microphone to prerecorded background tracks.
\nFor example: Who wants to go sing karaoke<\/em> with me tonight? \u00a0I know a great bar we can go to.<\/p>\n

ketchup<\/strong><\/em> (Malay) \u2013 Originally from the word \u201ckichap.\u201d \u00a0This is an American condiment that is famous around the world. \u00a0This is a sauce made primarily from tomatoes and vinegar.
\nFor example: Please pass the ketchup<\/em>, I like it on my fries.<\/p>\n

kudos<\/strong><\/em> (Greek) \u2013 A word used to praise or honor someone for their achievement.
\nFor example: Kudos<\/em> on your new job! \u00a0When do you start?<\/p>\n

protege<\/strong><\/em> (French) \u2013 This is a person who receives support and mentorship (sometimes from an influential patron) to help further the protege’s career or work.
\nFor example: Michale is my new protege<\/em>; he is here to learn everything I know.<\/p>\n

pajamas<\/strong><\/em> (Persian) \u00a0\u2013 Originally from the word \u201cpaijama.\u201d These are loose clothing (sometimes pants and a shirt) worn for sleeping. \u00a0This word is also often shortened to \u201cpj\u2019s.\u201d
\nFor example: I told the children to put on their pajamas<\/em> and brush their teeth, then I\u2019ll read them a bedtime story.<\/p>\n

wanderlust<\/strong><\/em> (German) \u2013 A strong desire to travel.
\nFor example: Mary is a woman consumed by wanderlust<\/em>. \u00a0I doubt she\u2019ll ever settle down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. \u00a0Sometimes words that come from one language are used in a new language without much or any change are called \u201cloanwords.\u201d A loanword can also be called \u201ca borrowing.\u201d\u00a0 The…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[135139],"tags":[191132,191130,191131,181518,191129,10339,191127,191126,191123,191125,191124],"class_list":["post-956","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-english-language","tag-ad-hoc","tag-confetti","tag-delicatessen","tag-foreign-words-in-english","tag-glitch","tag-karaoke","tag-ketchup","tag-kudos","tag-pajamas","tag-protege","tag-wanderlust"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t