20 English words you might not know came from other languages

An adaptation of the French verb “garer,” which means to shelter or protect. In the early 1900s, when the first garages were constructed, there wasn’t an English word to describe the new addition to homes, so a new term was coined. This is also why it is pronounced (as close as English speakers can manage) the French way.

English plucked this right from the French language without a change to spelling (well, the accents are left off) or the definition. The phrase translates to “already seen.” However, English speakers usually default to the French term to describe the phenomenon.

Cookies are essentially small cakes or treats. And cake in Dutch is “koek.” The diminutive form “koekje” (pronounced similarly to the English word) means small cake, now used in English to describe treats known as cookies.

The word that has saturated travel inspiration on Pinterest and Airbnb decor borrows twice from the German language. The concept of wanting to be off somewhere else in German is known as “Fernweh.” However, English has taken that concept and the German verb “Wandern” (whose actual definition is “to hike”) to create a new word, “wanderlust.”

Another word taken directly from French, “cafe,” can refer to coffee or a cafe (where you purchase the former) in its origin language. However, in English, it only describes the establishments where you buy coffee. Sometimes, it's used on fancy menus that want to use French terms like “cafe au lait” (coffee and milk.) 

The term entrepreneur is derived from the French verb “entreprener, " meaning to “undertake” something. And being an entrepreneur is to undertake your own business or idea, which is where the meaning comes from.

Like “garage,” “lingerie” is pronounced in an odd way that sounds almost French. That is because English has taken the word for “underwear” and applied it exclusively to fancy and high-end undergarments because, you know, anything French is luxury. 

Believe it or not, America’s favorite meal comes from the German city of Hamburg. In the late 19th and early 20th century, sailors brought back the concept of minced beef in patties from Hamburg. This coincided with German immigrants arriving in the U.S. and bringing their own “hamburger” recipes that just took off in the young country.

The German language loves to add words together to form new ones, and “kindergarten” is a perfect example. A combination of the word for “child” (“kinder”) and “garden” (“garten”), it is used to describe an area where kids go to play. English took it and applied it to daycare centers, which are essentially large children’s playgrounds.

Another word English took directly from another language, “klutz” is used to describe someone who is slow or clumsy. 

“Patio” has a similar definition and pronunciation in English and Spanish. It refers to a small courtyard or garden area, which English speakers didn’t have a word for before borrowing from Spanish.

In Japan, “ninjas” were historically very skilled mercenary agents. The term is two words put together; “nin” for endurance and “ja” for a person. Now, the term is used worldwide to describe quick and athletically gifted individuals. 

The word “tofu” might be Japanese, but it originally comes from the Chinese term “doufu,” which means rotten beans since tofu is essentially fermented soybeans.

During the reign of Mao, the Chinese term “xǐnǎo” or “to wash the brain” was used to describe the psychological distress and manipulation the government put the people through. It has since been slightly changed and popularized in the English language.

Al-Khwarizmi is a ninth-century mathematician credited with being the father of modern-day algebra. The word comes from an Arabic term, “al-jabr,” used in early writings of the mathematic system.

The Arabic word “laymun” describes the sour yellow citrus, which used to be less desirable in ancient times when the taste was difficult to stomach.

A little-known fact is that Mammoths burrowed into the ground, especially in Siberia, where remains have been found. And in this eastern part of Russia, “mama” means “earth.” Thus it’s assumed the name came from describing the animal's most common action.

In Portuguese, “cobra” directly translates to “snake with a hood” for the species’ distinctive look. The snakes aren’t native to Portugal but are commonly found throughout the country’s former colonies in Asia.

Based on the spelling of broccoli, you could easily guess that it had non-Anglo origins. Broccoli is the plural of the word derived from broccolo, which means “flowering on top of the cabbage.” This is an accurate name, as broccoli is essentially an edible flower.

Another English word with obvious Italian origins based on the spelling, paparazzi is an adaptation of a film character. In the 1960 movie La Dolce Vita, the photographer is named Paparazzo, and Hollywood took it and ran with it.