Etymology Map
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Lathi

2 stages from Hindi to English.

Today it means A long, heavy stick, often of bamboo, traditionally used in South Asia as a weapon or police baton.

Where does the word "lathi" come from? It comes from Hindi lathi, adopted directly into English (1840s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
lathi
Hindi · medieval
"a wooden staff or stick"
the feminine form of lath, a wooden staff
2
Stage 2 of 2
lathi
English · 1840s
"a heavy bamboo staff used as a weapon or baton"
British colonial administrators adopted the word for the bamboo staff used by Indian police
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