mehter

Where does the word "mehter" come from? It comes from Persian mihtar, passing through Ottoman Turkish before entering English (1900s).

Mehter’s story begins in Persian: mihtar meant “chief.” 'greater, chief', a title for senior servants of a court. By 1300s-1800s, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as mehter. The Janissaries' band played on the march and in battle; its sound inspired European 'Turkish music', such as Mozart's 'Rondo alla Turca' of 1783. It reached English by 1900s as mehter. Used by music historians for the Janissary band and its influence on Western composers. Today, mehter means the Ottoman military band of drums, cymbals and shawms.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval mihtar "chief", 'greater, chief', a title for senior servants of a court.
2. Stage 2 · Ottoman Turkish · 1300s-1800s mehter "military band", the Janissaries' band played on the march and in battle; its sound inspired European 'Turkish music', such as Mozart's 'Rondo alla Turca' of 1783.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s mehter "Ottoman military band", used by music historians for the Janissary band and its influence on Western composers.