English is primarily Germanic in its grammar and core vocabulary, but over time, it has absorbed words from Latin, Ancient Greek, Old French, and other global sources. If you’re curious about English word origins, those borrowings tell a story of travel, trade, and translation.
Shaped by cultural exchange, conquest, and globalization, English continues to evolve with the advent of new technologies and media. The 15 examples below spotlight English word origins from Greece and Persia to Nahuatl and Gaelic.
1. Arctic (Ancient Greek)
The northernmost area of the Earth, characterized by its icy conditions, is known as the Arctic. The name of this frosty region stems, as with many other words in this list, from an ancient Greek word. In this case, the word is ἄρκτος—meaning bear. This was in reference to the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, visible only in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as the Great Bear and Little Bear.
Coincidentally, the Arctic is home to the polar bears, and this is often mistakenly thought to be the origin of its name. In this line of thought, Antarctica is etymologically believed to be the land “of no Bear.” However, the Greek is actually άντιάρκτικός—which translates to “opposite of the Bear.”
2. Awkward (Old Norse)
The word “awkward” originates from the Old Norse word afugr, meaning “turned the wrong way” or “crooked.” This word was borrowed into Middle English as awkeward, which was used to describe something clumsy or difficult to handle. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to describe something that was socially uncomfortable or embarrassing, and this usage has been in common usage in the English language for hundreds of years.
The word “awkward” is used to describe a wide range of social situations and experiences, from minor blunders to major faux pas. It remains a valuable part of the English vocabulary for expressing social discomfort and embarrassment.
3. Checkmate (Persian)
In chess, the term “checkmate” refers to a situation where the player’s king is under attack and there is no way for the king to escape capture. The term is said to have derived from the Persian phrase shāh māt. However, the exact translation of this expression has caused much debate.
Originally, the phrase was understood simply as “the king died.” At the end of a chess game, however, a player’s king does not die but is placed in an inescapable position, a competition of capture rather than death. Instead, the word māt should be understood as the shah or “king” is “at a loss” or “defeated.”
4. Chocolate (Nahuatl)
Chocolate, a beloved indulgence worldwide, has its roots in Aztec culture. The exact etymology of the word is uncertain; however, the Nahuatl word for chocolate drink is cacahuatl, meaning “cocoa water.” One proposed source is from xocolatl, a bitter drink brewed from cocoa beans. Another suggested origin is the word chicolatl from chikolli (“hook”), the utensil used to mix chocolate and water, and ātl, meaning “water.”
5. Genius (Latin)
In Ancient Rome, a “genius” was a guardian deity or spirit that protected each individual throughout their life. The word stems from the Latin gigno, meaning to “give birth,” “produce,” or “bear,” since the guardian spirit was thought to appear as an individual was born.
These guardian spirits were said to influence an individual’s mental prowess. If a person was exceptionally talented and skilled, they were considered to possess a powerful spirit. It is clear how the word evolved to a contemporary understanding of “genius” as a naturally gifted and outstandingly intelligent individual.
6. Nice (Latin)
The word originally comes from the Latin word nescius, meaning “ignorant” or “unaware.” This word was borrowed into Old French as “nice” and was used to describe someone simple or foolish. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved. By the 14th century, “nice” was used in Middle English to describe someone who was pleasant, kind, or good-natured.
7. Quiz (Irish)
The word “quiz” originates from the Irish word “cuisle,” meaning “a pulse” or “vein.” This word was used in word play to describe a short-written test as a quick pulse or sudden shock. In the late 18th century, the word was used to describe novelty entertainment, where people were asked impromptu questions to test their knowledge.
This type of entertainment became popular in London and quickly spread throughout the English-speaking world. The word “quiz” eventually came to be used more broadly to describe any type of test or examination designed to evaluate someone’s knowledge or abilities.
8. Outrage (Latin)
A noun and verb, “outrage” is triggered by a serious offense, which causes an intense reaction of indignation, disbelief, and anger. Surprisingly, the word “outrage” is neither etymologically related to the word “out” nor “rage.” The word actually stems from the Late Latin ultraticum (“going beyond”), which in turn comes from the Latin word ultra (“beyond”).
Therefore, from the original understanding, an “outrage” is an act that is beyond what is considered acceptable, rather than one that enrages. This is evident in the form of “outrageous,” which denotes shock or excess rather than just anger.
9. Robot (Czech)
The word “robot” was first used in the 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Czech writer Karel Čapek. The word “robot” originates from the Czech word robota, meaning “forced labor” or “drudgery.” In the play, the term “robot” is used to describe artificially created beings that are designed to perform menial tasks for their human masters.
10. Sarcasm (Ancient Greek)
Sarcasm is the use of acerbic comments that mean the opposite of what they actually mean in order to criticize or mock someone. The word “sarcasm” derives from the Ancient Greek σαρκασμός (“sneer,” “jest,” “taunt”), which, in turn, comes from the verb σαρκάζω (“I gnash,” “I tear the flesh”). Indeed, sarcasm is often described as a cutting or biting form of humor, intended to get under someone’s skin.
11. Shampoo (Sanskrit)
Shampoo is an essential and commonplace item in every household; the name of this hair-washing liquid stems from the Hindi word champna, which derives from the Sanskrit word capayati. The word capayati can be translated as “pounds” or “kneads,” suggesting a sort of massaging motion.
During the colonial era, the word appeared in the English language as “shampoo” to take on the meaning of cleansing and massaging the scalp, which later came to the modern understanding of the liquid used to wash hair.
12. Sinister (Latin)
If an individual or situation is described as “sinister,” they provoke an ominous feeling of evil, harm, and malice. The adjective stems from the Latin word sinistra, meaning “the left-hand side.” In many cultures, the left is associated with unluckiness, weakness, and even the devil.
The Romans, for example, would interpret good or bad omens by observing the direction in which birds flew. The birds flying right would predict a good auspice, but those flying left signified bad luck. The favor of right over left can be observed in another word deriving from Latin. The adjective “dexterous”, meaning skillful, comes from the Latin word dexter, meaning “right.”
13. Tantalize (Ancient Greek)
The word “tantalize” originates from the infamous Greek myth about the punishment of Tantalus for his crimes against the gods. Tantalus was among the first generation of mortals invited to dine with the gods, but he abused this honor by stealing their ambrosia and nectar. Another version of the myth tells the story of Tantalus serving forbidden food to the gods at a banquet—food that was revealed to be his own son, whom he had cooked into a stew to test the omniscience of the gods. The gods recognized the atrocity and were not fooled. Only Demeter, troubled by her daughter’s abduction, ate a chunk of the meat.
Furious at Tantalus’ offenses, Zeus enacted the most wicked of punishments upon him. In the depths of the Underworld, Tantalus was made to stand in a pool of water under the low branches of a fruit tree. If he reached down to quench his insatiable thirst, the water would drain away. When he reached up to satisfy his ravenous appetite, the branches would rise away from his grasp. As such, the word “tantalize” means to torment or to tease by presenting something desirable but, ultimately, unobtainable.
14. Tulip (Persian)
Tulips, bulbous flowers known for their vibrant colors, originated from the Middle East. The word itself has Persian roots, stemming from the word dulband, meaning “turban.” The word was most likely selected due to the rounded shape of the flower, which resembles the traditional headwear. Ottoman sultans wore this flower on their turbans to symbolize luxury and power.
15. Whisky (Gaelic)
Interestingly, the English word “whisky” originates from the Gaelic uisge beatha, meaning “water of life”—a term that refers to a distilled spirit. This Classical Gaelic phrase likely comes from the Romans, who referred to alcohol as aqua vitae (“water of life”). The Gaelic word shares its roots with both the Germanic word “water” and the Slavic voda, from which another alcoholic spirit, vodka, is derived.
