Words you won’t believe originated from Sanskrit

Shampoo

Sanskrit origin: Chapyati

Shampoo is derived from the Hindi word Champo, which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word Chapyati, which means “to knead or massage”. The word ‘shampoo’ entered English language in 1762 during the colonial era in India.

Man

Sanskrit origin: Manu

Man is derived from the Sanskrit word Manu, which, in early Hindu texts referred to the “father or progenitor of mankind” or the first man (similar to Adam of Adam and Eve in Christianity).

Thug

Sanskrit origin: Sthaga

Thug traces its origin to the Sanskrit word Sthaga, which means “cunning” or “fraudulent” or “to conceal”. From Sanskrit, the word was adapted in Hindi and Marathi as Thug, meaning a “thief or swindler”. In English, the word ‘thug’ was first used in 1810 during the colonial rule in India to describe members of an Indian gang of robbers and murderers known for strangling their victims.

Singapore

Sanskrit origin: Simhapuram

The English name, Singapore, is derived from the native Malay name for the country, Singapura, which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word Simhapuram, literally meaning “Lion City”. While there were no lions on the island, the basis of the nomenclature was either the Malayan tiger or was a metaphorical reference.

Cot

Sanskrit origin: Khatva

Cot is derived from the Hindi word khaat, which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word Khatva, meaning a “couch” or “bedstead” or “hammock”. The usage of the word ‘cot’ in English began in mid-17^th century.

Jute

Sanskrit origin: Juta-s

Jute is derived from Jhuto in Bengali, which is ultimately derived the Sanskrit word Juta-s, meaning “twisted or matted hair”. The usage of the word ‘jute’ in English to describe the plant fiber used for making twines and ropes began in mid-18^th century around 1746.

Mugger

Sanskrit origin: Makara

Mugger is derived from Hindi Magar, meaning “crocodile”, which itself is derived from the Sanskrit word Makara, the name of a crocodile-like horned water beast in Hindu mythology. First used in English to refer to the large, snouted Indian crocodile, the usage of mugger as ‘a person who attacks to rob’ came later.

Pundit

Sanskrit origin: Pandita

Pundit is derived from the Sanskrit word Pandita, which means a “learned man” or “scholar”. The usage of the word in English as an expert in a subject or field was first recorded in early 19^th century.