kebab

Where does the word "kebab" come from? It comes from Arabic kabab, passing through Ottoman Turkish before entering English (1800s).

Kebab’s story begins in Arabic: kabab meant “roasted meat.” Grilled or roasted meat. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as kebap. Spread widely through Ottoman cuisine. It reached English by 1800s as kebab. British soldiers in India met 'seekh kebab'; the döner kebab spread across Europe from 1970s Berlin. Today, kebab means a dish of meat, and often vegetables, grilled or roasted on a skewer.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval kabab "roasted meat", grilled or roasted meat.
2. Stage 2 · Ottoman Turkish · medieval kebap "grilled meat dish", spread widely through Ottoman cuisine.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s kebab "grilled or skewered meat", British soldiers in India met 'seekh kebab'; the döner kebab spread across Europe from 1970s Berlin.