The English language, often celebrated for its diversity and adaptability, owes much of its richness to words it has taken from other cultures. This borrowing process is often complex and reflects both mutual influence and, at times, histories of colonial expansion. Here we look at seven foreign words frequently used in English and we trace their paths into Shakespeare's language. At the end of the article you will find some exercises to test your reading comprehension.
Foreign words frequently used in English
1. Karaoke
Origin: Japanese
Around the 1970s Karaoke became a word that was adopted by many languages, not just English. Karaoke is a blend of two Japanese words: kara, meaning “empty,” and oke short for “orchestra.” Karaoke became widely popular in Japan in the 1970s and quickly spread internationally. Could it be that its popularity is due to the fact that karaoke is often done late in the evening after several drinks? It’s a fun activity to do in a group, but my friends certainly need a drink or two if they want to voluntarily hear me sing.
2. Ketchup
Origin: Hokkien Chinese
The word “kê-tsiap” referred to a fermented fish sauce popular in Southeast Asia. British traders encountered it in the 17th century, bringing the concept to England, where it evolved with ingredients like mushrooms and walnuts. In the early 19th century, Americans began creating tomato-based ketchup.
By the mid-1800s, companies like Heinz had adapted the recipe and added substantial amounts of sugar and other ingredients – as far as I know there aren’t any nuts or mushrooms in a bottle of ketchup.
3. Tattoo
Origin: Tahitian
The word tatau, meaning “to mark,” was introduced to English by Captain James Cook, who encountered tattooing in Polynesia in the 18th century. Polynesian tattoos symbolized identity and status. Though body marking existed globally, Cook's voyages popularized the practice in Europe, and sailors spread it further. By the late 19th century, tattoos became popular in Western countercultures.
Thirty years ago, it was considered rebellious to have a tattoo. Nowadays, for young people it has almost become the norm and is seen as art and self-expression. If you are under the age of 30 and you don’t have a tattoo, you may be in the minority!
4. Robot
Origin: Czech
The word robot originates from the Czech term robota, meaning “forced labor.” Coined by Karel Čapek in his 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), it depicted artificial beings created to serve humans but later rebelling.
The play resonated with humanity’s ambivalence toward technology, leading to the term becoming synonymous with automated machines in literature and pop culture. It is amazing to think that this play was written over 100 years ago, but is still very relevant today as we all debate about the potential threats of Artificial Intelligence.
5. Ballet
Origin: French/Italian
Around the late 17th Century this word started being used in the English language. It is derived from the French language, which in turn took it from the Italian balletto, reflecting the strong Italian influence on early ballet.
Ballet as a structured dance form began in Italian and French courts in the 15th and 16th centuries, evolving and eventually spreading to other parts of Europe, particularly France, where it became refined into the form we recognize today. Noticeably, despite the fact that the English are notoriously bad at learning languages, it is interesting that we still try to honour the French word by keeping the final ‘t’ silent.
6. Buffet
Origin: French
This word came into use around the late 18th century. From the French word buffet, meaning “sideboard”, this word originally referred to a piece of furniture where food was displayed. Eventually, the term expanded to describe the self-serve style of dining that became popular in France and other parts of Europe, arriving in England as a term for self-service food tables in the 18th century.
If you have a buffet dinner nowadays, I recommend that you practice the art of either eating standing up, or balancing a small plate on your knees. Buffet dinners are not for the clumsy.
7. Shampoo
Origin: Hindi
Derived from the Hindi word chāmpo, meaning “to massage” or “to press,” shampoo entered English as British colonizers in India adopted the practice of hair washing with herbal solutions. Initially, shampoo meant a massage or treatment involving pressing, later evolving to refer specifically to hair cleansing products. What is particularly interesting is that a variant of this word is used in many languages all over the world, Spanish and Italian included.
As we can see, English has borrowed words like ballet and buffet from French, or piano from Italian, reflecting exchanges between European cultures. In other cases, English has absorbed words like shampoo from Hindi or safari from Swahili—terms that are a result of British colonialism.
Each word carries its own story, connecting the English language to the histories and cultures that shaped it. It is interesting to discover where words come from. All our languages will have words borrowed or adopted from other languages. Do you know some that exist in your own language?
Fancy knowing more about foreign words used often in English? Have a look at ¡Sorpresa! Estas palabras tan usadas en inglés tienen origen español y De "pijama" a "champú": 11 palabras que pensabas que venían del inglés ¡y estabas equivocado!.
Comprehension questions
Select the correct option:
1. What historical process is reflected in the English language's borrowing of words from other cultures?a) Linguistic assimilation
b) Cultural appropriation
c) Colonial expansion
d) Economic globalization
2. In which decade did the word karaoke gain international popularity?
a) 1960s
b) 1970s
c) 1980s
d) 1990s
3. What was the original meaning of the Hokkien Chinese word ‘kê-tsiap’ before it evolved into the English term ketchup?
a) Tomato sauce
b) Fermented fish sauce
c) Spicy condiment
d) Vegetable puree
4. How did Captain James Cook contribute to the introduction of the word tattoo into the English language?
a) He created the practice of tattooing in Europe.
b) He encountered tattooing during his voyages in Polynesia.
c) He wrote the first book on tattoos.
d) He was the first to receive a tattoo in England.
5. What societal change contributed to tattoos becoming more popular among young people?
a) The rise of hip-hop culture
b) Increased availability of tattoo parlors
c) The association with counterculture and self-expression
d) The influence of social media
6. The word robot was coined in a play written by which author?
a) Franz Kafka
b) Karel Čapek
c) Leo Tolstoy
d) Albert Camus
7. What was the original function of the word buffet in French before it referred to a style of dining?
a) A type of dance
b) A cooking method
c) A piece of furniture
d) A musical instrument
Answers:
1. c; 2. b; 3. b; 4. b; 5. c; 6. b; 7. c