berber

Where does the word "berber" come from? It comes from Greek barbaros, passing through Latin and Arabic before entering English (1800s).

Berber’s story begins in Greek: barbaros meant “foreign.” 'foreign, babbling', a word imitating unintelligible speech. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as Barbarī. The Romans used the word for peoples beyond their control, including those of North Africa. From there it passed into Arabic as Barbar by medieval. Arab writers took the name for the peoples of the Maghreb; many Berbers prefer their own name, Amazigh. It reached English by 1800s as Berber. Used by Europeans; the Barbary Coast and 'Barbary' have the same source. Today, berber means a member of the indigenous peoples of North Africa.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient barbaros "foreign", 'foreign, babbling', a word imitating unintelligible speech.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient Barbarī "barbarians", the Romans used the word for peoples beyond their control, including those of North Africa.
3. Stage 3 · Arabic · medieval Barbar "Berber", Arab writers took the name for the peoples of the Maghreb; many Berbers prefer their own name, Amazigh.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1800s Berber "Berber", used by Europeans; the Barbary Coast and 'Barbary' have the same source.