Etymology Map
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Chapan

3 stages from Uzbek to English.

Today it means a long quilted coat worn in Central Asia and Afghanistan

Where does the word "chapan" come from? It comes from Uzbek chapan, passing through Dari before entering English (2000s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
chapan
Uzbek · medieval
"quilted coat"
a long, often striped quilted coat worn over other clothes
2
Stage 2 of 3
chapan
Dari · 1900s
"Afghan coat"
President Hamid Karzai's green-striped chapan made it known worldwide in the 2000s
3
Stage 3 of 3
chapan
English · 2000s
"Central Asian coat"
entered English through reporting on Karzai and Afghan dress
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Read the full story

Chapan’s story begins in Uzbek: chapan meant “quilted coat.” A long, often striped quilted coat worn over other clothes. By 1900s, the word had taken hold in Dari as chapan. President Hamid Karzai's green-striped chapan made it known worldwide in the 2000s. It reached English by 2000s as chapan. Entered English through reporting on Karzai and Afghan dress. Today, chapan means a long quilted coat worn in Central Asia and Afghanistan.