hogan

Where does the word "hogan" come from? It comes from Navajo hooghan, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

Hogan’s story begins in Navajo: hooghan meant “a home, dwelling place.” Named the traditional Navajo dwelling, often built of logs and earth. It reached English by 1870s as hogan. The doorway of a Navajo hogan traditionally faces east, toward the rising sun. Today, hogan means a traditional Navajo dwelling constructed of logs, earth, and other natural materials.

1. Stage 1 · Navajo · pre-1800s hooghan "a home, dwelling place", named the traditional Navajo dwelling, often built of logs and earth.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s hogan "a traditional Navajo dwelling made of logs and earth", the doorway of a Navajo hogan traditionally faces east, toward the rising sun.