Etymology Map
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Gutta-percha

2 stages from Malay to English.

Today it means a hard rubbery latex from Malaysian trees, once used for cable insulation and dentistry

Where does the word "gutta-percha" come from? It comes from Malay getah perca, adopted directly into English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
getah perca
Malay · 1800s
"latex of the percha tree"
getah 'sap, latex' plus perca, probably the tree's name; Malay workers moulded the hardened gum into knife handles
2
Stage 2 of 2
gutta-percha
English · 1840s
"hard natural latex"
William Montgomerie, a surgeon in Singapore, sent samples to London's Society of Arts in 1843; it insulated the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1858 and made the 'guttie' golf ball
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Gutta-percha’s story begins in Malay: getah perca meant “latex of the percha tree.” Getah 'sap, latex' plus perca, probably the tree's name; Malay workers moulded the hardened gum into knife handles. It reached English by 1840s as gutta-percha. William Montgomerie, a surgeon in Singapore, sent samples to London's Society of Arts in 1843; it insulated the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1858 and made the 'guttie' golf ball. Today, gutta-percha means a hard rubbery latex from Malaysian trees, once used for cable insulation and dentistry.