meraki

Where does the word "meraki" come from? It comes from Turkish merak, passing through Greek before entering English (2010s).

Meraki’s story begins in Turkish: merak meant “passion, keenness.” Curiosity, enthusiasm or passion for something. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Greek as meráki. Greeks took the Turkish word for devotion to one's work, especially cooking and music. It reached English by 2010s as meraki. Spread through Greek restaurants, social media and brand names. Today, meraki means doing something with soul, creativity or love.

1. Stage 1 · Turkish · medieval merak "passion, keenness", curiosity, enthusiasm or passion for something.
2. Stage 2 · Greek · 1800s meráki "love of doing", Greeks took the Turkish word for devotion to one's work, especially cooking and music.
3. Stage 3 · English · 2010s meraki "creative devotion", spread through Greek restaurants, social media and brand names.