cabal

Where does the word "cabal" come from? It comes from Hebrew qabbalah, passing through French before entering English (1600s).

Cabal’s story begins in Hebrew: qabbalah meant “a received tradition, mystical teaching.” Literally tradition or received knowledge, referring to Jewish mystical teaching. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as cabale. Broadened in French to mean any secret intrigue or scheme. It reached English by 1600s as cabal. Charles II's ministry of 1667–73 was nicknamed the 'Cabal' because its members' initials (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, Lauderdale) spelled the word. Today, cabal means a secret group of people plotting together, especially in politics.

1. Stage 1 · Hebrew · medieval qabbalah "a received tradition, mystical teaching", literally tradition or received knowledge, referring to Jewish mystical teaching.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s cabale "a secret scheme or intrigue", broadened in French to mean any secret intrigue or scheme.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s cabal "a secret political faction or conspiracy", Charles II's ministry of 1667–73 was nicknamed the 'Cabal' because its members' initials (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley, Lauderdale) spelled the word.