A journey through the linguistic melting pot we call English

Did you know the word "ketchup" actually originated in China?

Credit: Glen Carrie

English is like that friend who travels the world and comes back with souvenirs from every country, except instead of collecting snow globes, our language has been collecting words for over a thousand years. From Viking raids to Indian spice routes, English has never met a foreign word it didn't want to adopt. Here are ten everyday words that packed their bags and moved to English permanently.

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You probably slather it on fries without thinking, but "ketchup" traveled incredibly far to reach your table. The word comes from Chinese "kê-tsiap," originally a fermented fish sauce from Fujian Province. British sailors discovered this tangy condiment during the 1600s trading adventures and brought both recipe and name back home.

The transformation from fish sauce to tomato condiment happened gradually as recipes traveled through Southeast Asia to America. By the 1800s, American cooks had swapped fish for tomatoes, creating today's sweet red sauce.

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"Barbecue" comes from the Caribbean Taíno people. Their word "barbacoa" described slow-cooking meat on raised wooden platforms over fire. When Spanish explorers arrived in the New World, they adopted both the cooking technique and the name, which eventually became English "barbecue."

The Taíno were indigenous people whom Columbus first met in 1492. From Carolina pulled pork to Texas brisket, we're all participating in a 500-year-old culinary tradition.

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Next time you're lathering up, thank Hindi for "shampoo." The word comes from Hindi "chāmpo," meaning "to massage." Originally, it didn't involve hair cleaning—it described full-body massage techniques popular in Indian bathhouses. British colonial officers discovered this relaxing practice and brought the word to England.

The transition from massage to hair-washing happened gradually. By the 1860s, British hairdressers used "shampoo" for washing and massaging scalps with soap and water. Commercial shampoo wasn't invented until 1930, but the word was already established.

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Few words brought humanity as much joy as "chocolate," thanks to the Aztecs. It traces back to "xocolātl" in Nahuatl, the Aztec language. This wasn't sweet candy—it was a bitter, frothy drink made from cacao beans, often spiced with chili peppers, served to warriors and nobility. Spanish conquistadors initially weren't impressed by this strange, bitter beverage.

Everything changed when someone added sugar. Spanish monks in Mexican monasteries began sweetening the drink, creating an instant hit among European aristocracy. The word traveled with the recipe, reaching England and evolving into the familiar "chocolate" pronunciation we know today.

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Your comfortable nightwear has surprisingly exotic origins. "Pajamas" comes from Persian and Urdu "pāy-jāma," literally meaning "leg garment." These weren't originally sleepwear—they were loose, comfortable pants worn during the day in India and Persia. British colonials adopted them as cool, practical clothing for hot climates, but they gradually became associated with bedtime.

The sleepwear transition probably happened because these garments were perfect for home relaxation. By the early 1900s, pajamas became standard nightwear for well-dressed Americans and Europeans.

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When you think "safari," you picture jeeps bouncing across African savannas, but the word comes from Arabic. "Safar" simply means "journey" or "travel," used throughout the Middle East and North Africa long before anyone photographed lions. The word entered Swahili as "safari" and reached English through European explorer accounts in East Africa.

The romantic safari notion as an African wilderness adventure was largely created by writers like Hemingway and 1920s wildlife photographers. What started as simply "trip" in Arabic became synonymous with exotic adventure and wild animals.

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The ancient practice filling modern studios gets its name from the Sanskrit "yoga," meaning "union" or "to yoke together." This referred to uniting mind, body, and spirit through physical postures, breathing, and meditation. For thousands of years, yoga remained within Hindu and Buddhist traditions in India, practiced by dedicated spiritual seekers.

The journey from ancient ashrams to suburban fitness centers began in the 1960s when Eastern spirituality became popular in America. What started as a profound spiritual practice evolved into everything from "hot yoga" to "goat yoga." Whether achieving enlightenment or just touching your toes, you're participating in a 5,000-year-old tradition.

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Long before Hollywood fame, "zombies" were part of Haitian folklore. The word comes from "zonmi" in Haitian Creole, derived from "nzambi," meaning "god" in several African languages. In Vodou tradition, zombies weren't flesh-eating monsters but people whose souls were captured by sorcerers, leaving them trance-like. This was considered worse than death.

The word entered English through early 1900s ethnographic studies but took off after 1932's "White Zombie" starring Bela Lugosi. Hollywood transformed the concept from tragic spiritual victim to shambling, brain-eating creatures.

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"Vanilla" might mean "boring" today, but it has unexpectedly spicy origins. It comes from Spanish "vainilla," diminutive of "vaina," meaning "sheath" or "pod." Spanish conquistadors described vanilla orchid pods that the Aztecs used to flavor chocolate drinks. The shape reminded them of female anatomy: "vaina" was also a sexual euphemism.

Spanish essentially called it "little sheath," with intentional innuendo. This exotic spice was so rare and expensive that it was reserved for royalty. How it became "plain" is mysterious—probably because vanilla became America's default ice cream flavor. Ironically, something once exotic and suggestively named is now considered the boring option. Aztecs, who valued vanilla above gold, would be mystified by our casual attitude.

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Our final word returns to the Caribbean and Taíno people. "Hurricane" comes from "huracán," their storm god's name. This deity controlled powerful cyclones that regularly devastated Caribbean islands. Living in "Hurricane Alley," the Taíno had extensive experience with these massive storms and their destruction.

Spanish explorers encountering these devastating systems adopted the Taíno word along with a healthy respect for the storms. The word spread through European languages as more sailors experienced these tropical nightmares. It's fitting we still use the original Taíno word because, despite modern meteorology and satellite tracking, hurricanes remain as mysterious and powerful as the ancient storm god they're named after.

Pet Sounds

12 animal signals you've been misinterpreting

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While we take for granted our ability to understand the pets who live near us, animal vocalizations and visual clues can and often are misinterpreted. Similar sounds or actions might mean different things, depending on the context. Take a look at these examples of similar signals in different situations and how their meanings differ.

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We usually associate a cat’s purr with a calm, comfortable moment, but that is not always the case. Purring can also be exhibited in uncomfortable or stressful conditions. When a cat is stressed or even hurt, they will sometimes purr.

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We tend to perceive the wag of the dog’s tail as a positive thing, but many different, subtle cues can be given off with the tail. Is the tail wagging more to the left or the right? How fast is the tail wagging? Is it above the midline or below?

All of those different movements mean entirely different things. Some of them are happy. Some are pre-aggression warning signs. Learn to read the context and what the dog is reacting to, in order to find out what a dog’s tail is communicating.

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It is no secret that dogs bark for many different reasons, such as alerting you to strangers, expressing excitement, or signaling distress. Recognizing the type of bark can help you address their needs more effectively.

As always, context matters. A dog barking at a mail carrier might be different from barking during playtime. Paying attention to these cues will help you understand the meaning of your dog’s barking.

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Similarly to dogs barking, cats meow for various reasons, such as seeking attention, expressing hunger, or signaling discomfort. Each type of meow has a unique sound and meaning.

When and in what situations a cat meows is essential for understanding their message. A cat meowing at the door might want to go outside, while a meow in the kitchen might indicate hunger.

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Not all growls indicate aggression. As every dog owner knows, some might be playful. Learning to differentiate between the two can prevent potential conflicts.

A growl when encountering another dog is a clear sign of aggression. A growl while playing tug-of-war using a stick can be a playful one.

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Anyone who looks at the ears of a cat will notice that they are highly expressive. For example, forward-facing ears indicate curiosity or happiness, while flattened ears can signal fear or aggression.

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A dog’s ears are highly expressive and can tell us a lot about their mood. Erect ears might indicate alertness, while flattened ears can signal fear or submission.

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A cat will use its eyes to communicate trust and affection. When a cat blinks slowly, it is expressing a sign of trust, and it can even be reciprocated to strengthen your bond with your cat.

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Whether it is the dreamy gaze of a dachshund or the alert eyes of a Jack Russell, dogs’ eyes are very expressive and are used to communicate many different emotions. For example, a direct stare indicates dominance, and a soft gaze shows affection.

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You might think that a cat rubbing against your leg is always a sign of affection. And in many cases, this is true, but it is also a way of marking their territory by rubbing their smell into your legs.

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Dogs tilt their heads when uncertain about something or trying to hear better. This is often seen when they are curious or waiting for more information from their environment or their owner.

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Whenever a cat rolls on its back, it is showing that it feels safe and trusts you. This can also be an invitation to play.