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Where does the word "kahuna" come from? It comes from Hawaiian kahuna, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "kahuna" come from? It comes from Hawaiian kahuna, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Kahuna’s story begins in Hawaiian: kahuna meant “a priest, expert.” Meaning "priest" or "expert" in traditional Hawaiian society. It reached English by 1900s as kahuna. Adopted especially through American surf culture. Today, kahuna means an expert or highly respected person in a particular field.
- Stage 1 · Hawaiian · ancient kahuna "a priest, expert", meaning "priest" or "expert" in traditional Hawaiian society.
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s kahuna "an expert or important person", adopted especially through American surf culture.