Buzz
This list highlights English words that have Arabic origins. Some of these terms are immediately familiar, tied to concepts and phenomena associated with the Middle East. Others may seem common in their modern usage, making it surprising to discover they originated in Arabic. While a few words entered English directly from Arabic, others took longer, winding paths, moving through languages like Spanish, Persian, and Turkish before reaching their present form. The information provided is as accurate as possible, though any insights or corrections are welcome.
A quick overview of the Arabic language: Arabic follows a system based on trilateral roots, meaning most words can be traced back to a three-letter base. This root typically appears in the third person singular past tense. Thus, you’ll often encounter these roots in English as “he (performed action)”.
10. Jihad – جهاد
We begin our list with one of the most recognized terms in Western culture, which also happens to be one of the most debated and controversial in meaning. The Arabic root of the word is جهد (ja-ha-da), which translates to 'he made an effort.' In religious contexts, this effort can range from acts of kindness, cultivating a deep spiritual devotion to God, and yes, even violent struggle in defense of faith. Since Arabic serves as the liturgical language of Islam, many words that have transferred into other languages within a religious framework may have more ordinary meanings in their original Arabic context. For instance, the word جهود (jahood), derived from the same root as 'jihad,' simply means 'efforts' and is not inherently religious in nature.
9. Mujahedeen
You may notice that مجهدين (mujahedeen) shares the same root as the word 'jihad.' A mujahid refers to someone who takes up arms to defend their faith. This term was used to describe Afghan fighters resisting the Soviet invasion of their country. During the 1980s, the term was generally seen positively, particularly in the West, where the US supported these warriors against communism. However, the term 'mujahedeen' has since acquired negative connotations, primarily due to the actions of Islamist militants who initially fought in Afghanistan and later spread globally, carrying out terrorist acts in the name of their religion.
8. Ream
Not all terms are tied to intense themes like religious fervor. 'Ream' refers to a stack of paper, typically comprising 480, 500, or 516 sheets. The word originates from the Arabic رزمة, meaning a package or bundle.
7. Ghoul
The concept of the ghoul entered Western culture through the renowned 'One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.' In Arabic, الغول (ghoul) represents a sinister demon who lurks near graves and feeds on the dead. There is some speculation about whether this term is linked to the ancient Mediterranean demon 'Gallu.' The adjective 'ghoulish' in English describes an eerie obsession with death. The word was also adapted in a diminutive form and used as the title for the 1980s horror-comedy film 'Ghoulies,' which borrowed elements from 'Gremlins.'
6. Genie
A famous cultural import, popularized by Barbara Eden and Disney. The word 'genie' originally existed in English, referring to a type of guardian angel. Like the ghoul, the idea of the jinn الجن was introduced to the West through 'One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.' Translators adopted the existing English word 'genie' to describe this mysterious Eastern entity. Over time, 'genie' has become associated with a wish-granting spirit from Eastern mythology. In Islam, jinn are believed to have been created from smokeless fire. Like humans, jinn possess free will, meaning they can be either good or evil.
5. Admiral
The word 'admiral' likely entered Europe with soldiers returning from the Crusades. In Arabic, امير البحر (admiral) literally translates to 'prince of the sea.' Today, 'admiral' is the highest rank in naval forces worldwide.
4. Sultan
Derived from the root سلط (sa-la-Ta), meaning to rule or possess strength. The term originally referred to the secular authority (as opposed to the religious) within the early Muslim community. It gained widespread use with the Turks, first the Seljuks and later, most famously, the Ottomans. In modern English, 'sultan' refers to a ruler, which is the basis for the iconic title of the Dire Straits song 'Sultans of Swing.'
3. Kohl and Alcohol
We began with the most debated term, so let’s conclude with the most universally accepted. The origin of this word might make you feel as if you've indulged in a large amount of the substance it refers to. The word 'kohl' (كهل) is the term for the dark eye makeup used by women throughout the Near East. While Persian scientists were the first to identify alcohol in a scientific way, it was Westerners who coined the word 'alcohol.' Due to the similarities in the processes of sublimation used to make kohl and the distillation process for alcohol, the latter term was adopted. Over time, the word re-entered Arabic as الكهول.
2. Hazard
From 711 AD to 1492 AD, the Arabs ruled Spain, leaving a lasting impact on Spanish culture, architecture, dance, and language. The Arabic word الزهر (al-zarh), meaning 'dice,' evolved into the Spanish term 'azar,' which eventually made its way into English as 'hazard.'
1. Algebra
A subject dreaded by high school students everywhere, this term might inspire more fear than even ghouls or jihad. The Arabic root جبر means 'he set (a broken bone),' and from this comes the word الجبر, which reflects the practice of balancing both sides of an equation so they are equal. While the idea of algebra appeared in different forms since ancient Greece, it was the renowned Persian scholar Muḥammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi who first formalized and defined it while working at the esteemed 'House of Wisdom' in 9th-century Baghdad.
