Friday April 3, 2009

From Kalashnikov to nunchaku

By VANCE CARSON

MANY English speakers use loanwords every day without realising that their vocabulary has been greatly influenced by other languages and other countries. Last Wednesday, we ran a list of loanwords and foreign phrases used in English, sorted by the language from which they originated. Here are more:

Russian

Cadet (from kadet): a young person training for police or military service.

Cosmonaut (space sailor): the Russian version of an astronaut (star sailor).

Kalashnikov: a military assault rifle also known as an AK-47.

Molotov cocktail: a petrol bomb, named after the politician Vyacheslav Molotov.

Tsar (from the Latin Caesar): the king or emperor, Tsar can be a person who is in charge of something important. For example, the police “drugs Tsar” who heads a drugs task force.

Vodka (water of life): a very strong clear spirit made from distilled grain.

Chinese languages

Chi: inner force and spirit.

Chow mein: stir-fried noodles with meat and vegetables.

Kung fu (leisure time, effort): a generic name for martial arts.

Kowtow: to be overly obedient to a superior. In the past, a respectful bow, kneeling and even putting one’s head on the ground to show loyalty.

Tai chi: a soft martial art and a relaxing exercise.

Wok: a type of frying pan.

Greek

Alphabet: the set of Latinised letters from A to Z, named after Alpha and Beta, the first two letters of the Greek alphabet.

Anthropogenic: man-made.

Autograph (self-write): a written signature.

Arachnophobia (fear of spiders): a phobia named after Arachne, a girl in Greek mythology who created beautiful embroidery. She was changed into a spider by a goddess who was jealous of her skill.

Biology: the study of living things.

Hoi polloi: the mob, the masses, the rabble.

Psychology: the study of the mind.

Xenophobia (from xenos): fear of foreigners.

Latin

Care (from caritas): love, compassion and concern.

Caveat (from cave): a warning to consider a particular point before an action is taken.

Deity (from deo): a god.

Exit (he goes out): the way out.

Illuminate (from lumen): to bring light.

Liberty (from liber): freedom.

Pact (from pax): an agreement between groups or countries, usually for peace.

Vitality (from vita): energetic and full of life.

Japanese

Nunchaku: a martial arts weapon, consisting of two wooden rods joined by a chain or cord.

Kamikaze (divine wind): the suicide pilots of World War II, a kamikaze is now a person who does something which may endanger their life or well-being.

Karate (empty hand): a martial art and system of self-defence.

Zen: a philosophical religion.

Italian

Cappuccino: a coffee made with hot frothy milk and sprinkled with chocolate.

Pasta (dough): the staple food of Italy made from wheat flour, pasta comes in various forms and is served with a multitude of sauces. The most famous types of pasta are spaghetti, macaroni, ravioli, lasagne and tortellini.

Latte (milk): in American cafés, a latte is a coffee made with lots of milk.

Paparazzi: intrusive photojournalists, named after Paparazzo, the central character in the Fellini film La Dolcé Vita.

Prima donna (first lady): originally a term for the main female singer in an opera, a prima donna is a person of any sex who thinks they are better than those around them, and who behaves like a spoilt child.

Vendetta: a Sicilian word meaning revenge.

Arabic

Chemistry (from al-chemya): the study of chemicals.

Coffee (from qahwa): the hot beverage made from roasted coffee beans.

Genie (from jinn): an invisible supernatural being, able to grant wishes.

Kebab (from kabab or kebob): cooked meat on skewers, usually served with salad and pita bread.

Kismet (from kesma or naseeb): fate, luck, destiny.

Mocha (from al-mukha): a speciality coffee, often with chocolate added.

Talisman (from tahwiza): a magical charm similar to an amulet.

Zero (from sefr): nothing, also called “nil” in Latin. Zero is thought to have been introduced to mathematics by Arab scholars.