kiosk

Where does the word "kiosk" come from? It comes from Persian kushk, passing through Ottoman Turkish and French before entering English (1800s).

Kiosk’s story begins in Persian: kushk meant “pavilion.” Meaning "pavilion" or "palace". By medieval, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as köşk. An open garden pavilion. From there it passed into French as kiosque by 1600s-1700s. Adopted for small garden structures. It reached English by 1800s as kiosk. Narrowed to mean a small stand or booth. Today, kiosk means a small stand or booth used to sell goods or provide information.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval kushk "pavilion", meaning "pavilion" or "palace".
2. Stage 2 · Ottoman Turkish · medieval köşk "garden pavilion", an open garden pavilion.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1600s-1700s kiosque "a small open pavilion", adopted for small garden structures.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1800s kiosk "a small stand or booth", narrowed to mean a small stand or booth.