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le: The Surprising Origins of English Words Did you know that the English language has been influenced by many different languages over the years? From Latin to French, Greek to Hindi, English has borrowed words from many different sources. However, some of the origins of English words may be more surprising than you think. For example, did you know that the word "dollar" comes from the German word "Taler"? The Taler was a silver coin that was first minted in the city of Joachimsthal, which is now in the Czech Republic. These coins were widely used in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries and eventually became known simply as "dollars" in English. Another surprising origin of an English word is "yoga." This word comes from the Sanskrit language of ancient India and means "union" or "to yoke" in reference to the practice of connecting mind, body, and spirit. While yoga has become popular all over the world, it is interesting to think that the very word we use to describe it comes from an ancient Indian language. The word "robot" also has an interesting origin. It comes from the Czech word "robota" which means "forced labor" or "servitude." This word was first used in a play by Czech writer Karel Čapek in 1920 to describe mechanical workers. The term quickly caught on and is now used worldwide to describe machines that can perform tasks without human intervention. The word "juggernaut" is another example of an English word with an unexpected origin. This word comes from the Hindi word "Jagannath" which is the name of a Hindu deity. In Hindu tradition, the Jagannath temple in the city of Puri, India, is known for its massive wooden chariot that is pulled through the streets during an annual festival. The size and power of this chariot led to the use of the term "juggernaut" in English to describe any powerful and unstoppable force. Finally, the word "safari" is a Swahili word that means "long journey." While we now associate the word with an expedition to view wild animals in Africa, it originally referred to any long journey. The word was first introduced to English by British explorers in the 19th century and its meaning quickly became associated with the African continent. As you can see, English words have been influenced by many different languages and cultures over time. These surprising origins of words can add depth and interest to our language and show how interconnected our world really is. Next time you use a familiar word, take a moment to consider its origins and the interesting stories behind it.
