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Where does the word "cummerbund" come from? It comes from Persian kamar-band, passing through Hindi before entering English (1610s).
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Where does the word "cummerbund" come from? It comes from Persian kamar-band, passing through Hindi before entering English (1610s).
Cummerbund’s story begins in Persian: kamar-band meant “a waist sash.” Literally "waist-band". By medieval, the word had taken hold in Hindi as kamarband. Worn as part of South Asian formal dress. It reached English by 1610s as cummerbund. Persian 'kamar', waist, plus 'band'; British officers in India adopted it for evening dress. Today, cummerbund means a wide, pleated sash worn around the waist with formal attire.
- Stage 1 · Persian · medieval kamar-band "a waist sash", literally "waist-band".
- Stage 2 · Hindi · medieval kamarband "a waist sash", worn as part of South Asian formal dress.
- Stage 3 · English · 1610s cummerbund "a wide waist sash worn with formal wear", Persian 'kamar', waist, plus 'band'; British officers in India adopted it for evening dress.