bikini

Where does the word "bikini" come from? It comes from Marshallese Bikini Atoll, passing through French before entering English (1948).

Bikini’s story begins in Marshallese: Bikini Atoll meant “a Pacific atoll name.” A Pacific atoll used for nuclear testing shortly before the swimsuit's debut. By 1946, the word had taken hold in French as bikini. Named by a French designer for the swimsuit's supposedly explosive social impact. It reached English by 1948 as bikini. Named by designer Louis Réard after the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests of 1946, implying an explosive effect. Today, bikini means a two-piece swimsuit for women.

1. Stage 1 · Marshallese · 1946 Bikini Atoll "a Pacific atoll name", a Pacific atoll used for nuclear testing shortly before the swimsuit's debut.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1946 bikini "a two-piece swimsuit", named by a French designer for the swimsuit's supposedly explosive social impact.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1948 bikini "a two-piece swimsuit", named by designer Louis Réard after the Bikini Atoll nuclear tests of 1946, implying an explosive effect.