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English Loanwords and Their Origins

Many English words are borrowed from other languages. Can you identify the original language of these common loanwords?0 takes
by @triviagang_dataUpdated 2d ago

Preview · 12 questions

  • 01The word 'kindergarten', meaning 'children's garden', comes from which language?
  • 02The word 'shampoo' entered English from British India and originates from the Hindi word 'chāmpo', meaning to press or massage. From which language does it derive?
  • 03The word 'tsunami', for a large harbor wave, is a loanword from which language?
  • 04The mathematical term 'algebra' is derived from the title of a 9th-century book, 'Al-Jabr', written in which language?
  • 05The word 'robot' was popularized by a 1920 science-fiction play 'R.U.R.' by Karel Čapek. What language did he write in?
  • 06The word 'patio', referring to an inner courtyard or paved area, is a loanword from which language?
  • 07The term 'berserk', meaning to go into a wild frenzy, comes from tales of ancient warriors in which language?
  • 08The word 'sauna' is a direct and unchanged loanword for a steam bath from which language?
  • 09The word 'whiskey' is an anglicization of 'uisce beatha', which means 'water of life' in which language family?
  • 10The word 'ballet' and much of its associated terminology was adopted into English from which language?
  • 11The word 'caravan', referring to a group of travelers, journeyed into English through various languages but ultimately originates from which one?
  • 12The condiment 'ketchup' is thought to derive its name from a fish sauce called 'kê-tsiap' in a dialect of which language?
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