10 English Words with Foreign Language Origins

In celebration of Independence Day we want to do something a little bit different. The United States is a nation of immigrants. We are a collection of individuals descended from different counties, cultures, and languages. American English reflects that rich international heritage. Here are ten American English words that are derived from other languages.

Confetti: When you see confetti thrown at an Independence Day parade, remember that the word actually has Italian origins. Traditionally, the word means “candy,” specifically the sort of sweet confections eaten during special religious ceremonies. However, the custom of throwing confetti does not come from Italy. In ancient times, rice, dates, and nuts were thrown during celebrations as symbols of fertility and abundance.

Essay: This English noun comes from the French verb “essayer” (to try). The essential meaning of the original word is still contained in the reasons why people write essays. People tend to write essays in an attempt to gain the recognition of a particular group of people, whether that group is the general public, academic peers, or teachers. The original meaning will also resonate with high school and college students who are simply trying to finish their final essays so that they can enjoy their winter and summer breaks.

Freedom: Americans like to think that they have a monopoly on freedom, especially on Independence Day. Yet, the word actually has decidedly Germanic origins. The literal, modern- German equivalent is “freiheit.” The English word itself is more closely derived from the German “friede” (peace), which itself is a derivation of archaic Germanic “frith.”

Jeans: If you aren’t wearing shorts on the Fourth of July, chances are you’ll be wearing a pair of these comfortable denims pants. Genoa, Italy, called “Gene” but sixteenth-century Europeans, was the first city to make denim cloth. So jeans derive their name (at least phonetically) from the city.

Khaki: When you’re done celebrating America’s independence, you’ll probably have to put on a pair of business casual slacks, commonly known as khakis, and go back to work. Ironically, the English-language adoption of the word has its origins in British colonialism. “Khaki” means “dusty” or “earth” in Hindi. After their colonization of India, the British army traded its conspicuous “redcoat” uniforms in for outfits in for the more sensible light tan color that we associate with the word now.

Kudos: This ancient Greek word referred to the glory or renown that soldiers earned on the battlefield. That tradition is continued today when someone is given kudos for a particular accomplishment. He or she is being rewarded, albeit informally, for a job well done.

Mayonnaise: While this condiment is spread on many a hamburger and hotdog consumed during a Fourth of July celebration, the word itself actually has French origins. Legend has it that “mahonnaise” was created to celebrate the 1756 victory of the French over the British at a battle on the Spanish isle of Port Mahon.

Occasion: Hopefully the occasion of this year’s Independence Day will be a more positive experience for you than the original Latin word implies. In its original context, “occasion” means an “accident” or “grave event.”

Pay: Whether you need to pay for parking or pay for your share of July 4^th provisions, remember that this word has connotations of keeping the peace. The original Latin “pax” (peace) evolved into a term that meant to appease or pacify. This is exactly what you are doing when you pay your friend back for all those hotdogs that you asked him or her to pick up on the way to the party.

Poltergeist: Derived from the German words “poltern” (to make noise) and “geist” (ghost), this English word refers to a supernatural being that is able to interact with the physical world. It first gained mainstream popularity in the 1982 movie of the same name. More recently, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Paranormal Activity films.