muay thai

Where does the word "muay thai" come from? It comes from Thai muay thai, and was adopted directly into English (1990s).

Muay thai’s story begins in Thai: muay thai meant “Thai boxing.” Literally Thai boxing, a striking martial art using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It reached English by 1990s as muay thai. Thai 'Thai boxing', called 'the art of eight limbs' for its use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Today, muay thai means a striking martial art from Thailand using fists, elbows, knees, and shins.

1. Stage 1 · Thai · medieval muay thai "Thai boxing", literally Thai boxing, a striking martial art using fists, elbows, knees, and shins.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1990s muay thai "the traditional striking martial art of Thailand", Thai 'Thai boxing', called 'the art of eight limbs' for its use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.