guru

Where does the word "guru" come from? It comes from Sanskrit guru, passing through English before entering English (1960s).

Guru’s story begins in Sanskrit: guru meant “teacher, spiritual guide.” Literally "heavy, weighty", describing one weighty with wisdom. By c. 1800s, the word had taken hold in English as guru. Picked up through British colonial contact with India. It reached English by 1960s as guru. Broadened during Western counterculture to mean any expert. Today, guru means a spiritual teacher, or an influential expert in a field.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient guru "teacher, spiritual guide", literally "heavy, weighty", describing one weighty with wisdom.
2. Stage 2 · English · c. 1800s guru "a Hindu or Sikh spiritual teacher", picked up through British colonial contact with India.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1960s guru "an influential expert or mentor", broadened during Western counterculture to mean any expert.