gong

Where does the word "gong" come from? It comes from Javanese/Malay gong, and was adopted directly into English (1600s-1700s).

Gong’s story begins in Javanese/Malay: gong meant “a metal percussion disc.” An imitative name for the metal percussion instrument's sound. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as gong. Javanese gamelan orchestras are built around sets of bronze gongs. Today, gong means a metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck.

1. Stage 1 · Javanese/Malay · medieval gong "a metal percussion disc", an imitative name for the metal percussion instrument's sound.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s-1700s gong "a metal disc struck to produce a resonant sound", Javanese gamelan orchestras are built around sets of bronze gongs.