casbah

Where does the word "casbah" come from? It comes from North African Arabic qasba, passing through French before entering English (1738).

Casbah’s story begins in North African Arabic: qasba meant “fortress, citadel.” Named the fortified citadel at the center of a city. By 1738, the word had taken hold in French as casbah. Borrowed during French contact with North Africa. It reached English by 1738 as casbah / kasbah. Adopted to describe the old citadel districts of North African cities. Today, casbah means the old fortified quarter or citadel of a North African city.

1. Stage 1 · North African Arabic · medieval qasba "fortress, citadel", named the fortified citadel at the center of a city.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1738 casbah "old fortified quarter", borrowed during French contact with North Africa.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1738 casbah / kasbah "old walled city quarter", adopted to describe the old citadel districts of North African cities.