Etymology Map
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Dekko

2 stages from Hindi to English.

Today it means a quick look

Where does the word "dekko" come from? It comes from Hindi dekho, adopted directly into English (1890s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
dekho
Hindi · 1800s
"look!"
'look!', the command form of 'dekhnā', to see
2
Stage 2 of 2
dekko
English · 1890s
"a look"
British Army slang from India: 'have a dekko'
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Read the full story

Dekko’s story begins in Hindi: dekho meant “look!.” 'look!', the command form of 'dekhnā', to see. It reached English by 1890s as dekko. British Army slang from India: 'have a dekko'. Today, dekko means a quick look.