Borrowed words

[Ralf]

While half the dictionary seems to consist of French, Latin and Greek derivations, there is comparatively less calque from other languages which have made it into the book. Next to a few examples from German (doppelganger angst, zeitgeist leitmotif, blitzkrieg rucksack) and the famous Czech robot and Indian bungalow, I'm having a hard time to think of other kitsch examples and schmuck words. Can you?
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[Fan of Arabian horses]

Hi Ralf,

since I´m no native speaker I can´t really be sure but from what I´ve heard "kindergarten, autobahn and kraut" are borrowed words from the German.

[lost_soul]

Hi, Ralf
If you're willing to know English words of Russian origin, I can throw in a few I can think of off the cuff.
1. Kasha = porridge
2. Vodka (no need to explain)
3. Balalaika = a plucked musical instrument

[Ralf]

Hi Alex,

I play the guitar, but don't really know how to picture a typical Balalaika sound. Do you pick (pluck) or strum (play all strings at once) it?
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[lost_soul]

I've never played it myself, but I saw on TV how people play it - they pluck (or pull) at strings with their fingers. Actually it is entertaining to observe how musicians handle it.

[SkiIucK]

Heya,

Any kebapche fans out there?

Cheers

[billk636]

It is so funny how words from other languages become part of the English language.

[RickInAlbi]

According to Wikipedia, the word ketchup derives from China or Malaysia. In any event, it does not have European roots. I also am assuming you are not concerned about words like "sushi," "kimono," or other words we have adopted to refer to Asian style foods or products.

Would "Nirvana" count, by the way?

Rick

[Yankee]

There are a lot of "food" words which have come to us directly from German.

Frankfurter, hamburger, bratwurst, liverwurst, knockwurst, and wiener are all commonly used words on this side of the pond. (The final two are also spelled knackwurst and weiner.) NYC in particular is also well-known for its delicatessens (commonly referred to as a 'deli').

It is also not unusual to see the word 'putsch' used in American English. And I grew up saying "Gesundheit!" whenever I heard someone sneeze.
.
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[NinaZara]

[Haihao]

Hi Nina,

Good to see you again!

I also think the English word 'ketchup' is just from the Malay word you mentioned, meaning fish sauce. Am I right?

By the way, Nina, what do you mean by 'good things'? How do you define 'good'? I feel power and money don't always go to good people. Maybe you don't put these things into your good category (half kidding)

Haihao

[NinaZara]

Haihao, wow, it has been eons!

How are you? Genkisou ni kikoeru kedo.

Well, I am not sure about where the word ketchup originated, but I'm pretty sure kicap has nothing fishy in it.

But you are right about good people not getting power and money. Guess what? I think power and money will come to the ones who wish for it.

And 'good things' to me is 'something wonderful'. (I'm a bit romantic at heart)

So let's rephrase the whole sentence again; Be a good person and something wonderful will come to you.

Now, got it?(half kidding)

And by asking me the definition of 'good' I think you are insinuating that the definition varies depending on a person's principle and how he defines life/happiness.

Well, at least I think that you are suggesting to me just that.

[Haihao]

You are right, Nina, and I am glad to hear from you again.

[linghong]

[NinaZara]

That's very cool, Linghong. But check this out from Wiki:

List of English words of Malay origin

Do you know all of them? Now the famous ones that I know are paddy, sarong and amok. But to tell you the truth, some of them I don't even know about.
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