kismet

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

Kismet’s story begins in Arabic: qisma meant “a portion, allotted share.” Meaning "a portion" or "lot", one's allotted share in life. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as kismet. Came to mean fate or destiny. It reached English by 1800s as kismet. Nelson's supposed dying words 'Kiss me, Hardy' were once jokingly claimed to be 'Kismet, Hardy'. Today, kismet means fate or destiny, especially as an inevitable and positive outcome.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval qisma "a portion, allotted share", meaning "a portion" or "lot", one's allotted share in life.
2. Stage 2 · Ottoman Turkish · medieval kismet "fate, destiny", came to mean fate or destiny.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s kismet "fate or destiny", Nelson's supposed dying words 'Kiss me, Hardy' were once jokingly claimed to be 'Kismet, Hardy'.