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Nautch

3 stages from Sanskrit to English.

Today it means A traditional style of dance performance in South Asia, historically performed by professional dancing girls for entertainment.

Where does the word "nautch" come from? It comes from Sanskrit nritya, passing through Hindi before entering English (1809).

1
Stage 1 of 3
nritya
Sanskrit · ancient
"dance, dramatic performance"
meant 'dancing, acting, play'
2
Stage 2 of 3
nach
Hindi · medieval
"dance"
the everyday word for dance
3
Stage 3 of 3
nautch
English · 1809
"a traditional dance performance, especially by professional female dancers"
British colonials adopted the word for performances by professional Indian dancing girls
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