khaki

Where does the word "khaki" come from? It comes from Persian khak, passing through Urdu before entering English (1850s).

Khaki’s story begins in Persian: khak meant “dust, earth.” Dust, earth, describing the dull brownish color. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Urdu as khaki. Adapted for the dust-colored fabric used in British colonial military uniforms. It reached English by 1850s as khaki. Settled as the English word for the dull brownish-yellow color and fabric. Today, khaki means a dull brownish-yellow color, or sturdy fabric of that color used for uniforms.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · ancient khak "dust, earth", dust, earth, describing the dull brownish color.
2. Stage 2 · Urdu · 1800s khaki "dust-colored", adapted for the dust-colored fabric used in British colonial military uniforms.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1850s khaki "a dull brownish-yellow color or fabric", settled as the English word for the dull brownish-yellow color and fabric.