geta

Where does the word "geta" come from? It comes from Japanese geta, and was adopted directly into English (1800s-1900s).

Geta’s story begins in Japanese: geta meant “elevated wooden sandals.” Named traditional wooden sandals raised on two supporting teeth. It reached English by 1800s-1900s as geta. Raised on wooden teeth to keep the feet above mud and snow. Today, geta means traditional Japanese wooden sandals raised on two supporting blocks.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · medieval geta "elevated wooden sandals", named traditional wooden sandals raised on two supporting teeth.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s-1900s geta "traditional Japanese elevated wooden sandals", raised on wooden teeth to keep the feet above mud and snow.