Etymology Map
Back to all words

Kalashnikov

3 stages from Russian to English.

Today it means an AK-47 or related Soviet-designed assault rifle

Where does the word "kalashnikov" come from? It comes from Russian kalach, passing through Russian before entering English (1970s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kalach
Russian · medieval
"padlock-shaped loaf"
a wheat loaf shaped like a padlock; a kalashnik baked or sold them, giving the surname Kalashnikov
2
Stage 2 of 3
Kalashnikov
Russian · 1947
"the AK-47 rifle"
Mikhail Kalashnikov, a tank sergeant wounded in 1941, designed the AK-47 ('Avtomat Kalashnikova', model 1947), adopted by the Soviet army in 1949 and built at Izhevsk
3
Stage 3 of 3
Kalashnikov
English · 1970s
"AK-47 assault rifle"
the most produced assault rifle in history; Mozambique has carried one on its flag since 1983
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Kalashnikov’s story begins in Russian: kalach meant “padlock-shaped loaf.” A wheat loaf shaped like a padlock; a kalashnik baked or sold them, giving the surname Kalashnikov. Within Russian, it grew into Kalashnikov by 1947. Mikhail Kalashnikov, a tank sergeant wounded in 1941, designed the AK-47 ('Avtomat Kalashnikova', model 1947), adopted by the Soviet army in 1949 and built at Izhevsk. It reached English by 1970s as Kalashnikov. The most produced assault rifle in history; Mozambique has carried one on its flag since 1983. Today, kalashnikov means an AK-47 or related Soviet-designed assault rifle.