impi

Where does the word "impi" come from? It comes from Zulu impi, and was adopted directly into English (1860s).

Impi’s story begins in Zulu: impi meant “an armed band, a war party.” A Nguni word for war or combat, applied to any body of men gathered for fighting. It reached English by 1860s as impi. Picked up by British soldiers and writers during 19th-century conflicts with the Zulu kingdom. Today, impi means a Zulu regiment or armed fighting band, especially in historical warfare.

1. Stage 1 · Zulu · 1700s impi "an armed band, a war party", a Nguni word for war or combat, applied to any body of men gathered for fighting.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1860s impi "a Zulu regiment or body of warriors", picked up by British soldiers and writers during 19th-century conflicts with the Zulu kingdom.