maelstrom

Where does the word "maelstrom" come from? It comes from Dutch maalstroom, and was adopted directly into English (1600s-1700s).

Maelstrom’s story begins in Dutch: maalstroom meant “a whirling stream.” Combining "malen" (to grind, whirl) and "stroom" (stream). It reached English by 1600s-1700s as maelstrom. Named a famous whirlpool off the coast of Norway, then any turbulent situation. Today, maelstrom means a powerful whirlpool, or a situation of great turmoil.

1. Stage 1 · Dutch · medieval maalstroom "a whirling stream", combining "malen" (to grind, whirl) and "stroom" (stream).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s-1700s maelstrom "a powerful whirlpool", named a famous whirlpool off the coast of Norway, then any turbulent situation.