boomerang

Where does the word "boomerang" come from? It comes from Dharug bumarin, and was adopted directly into English (1820s).

Boomerang’s story begins in Dharug: bumarin meant “a curved throwing stick.” A curved throwing stick used for hunting by Aboriginal Australians. It reached English by 1820s as boomerang. First recorded around Sydney; the Dharug people used it in hunting. Today, boomerang means a curved flying stick, traditionally used as a weapon, that can return to the thrower.

1. Stage 1 · Dharug · ancient bumarin "a curved throwing stick", a curved throwing stick used for hunting by Aboriginal Australians.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1820s boomerang "a curved flying throwing stick that can return to the thrower", first recorded around Sydney; the Dharug people used it in hunting.