nazar

Where does the word "nazar" come from? It comes from Arabic naẓar, passing through Turkish before entering English (2000s).

Nazar’s story begins in Arabic: naẓar meant “gaze.” Sight or glance, including a harmful envious look. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Turkish as nazar. The blue-and-white 'nazar boncuğu' glass bead is hung in homes, cars and on babies' clothes. It reached English by 2000s as nazar. Entered English as the eye bead became a popular souvenir and jewellery motif. Today, nazar means an amulet against the evil eye, especially the blue glass eye bead.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval naẓar "gaze", sight or glance, including a harmful envious look.
2. Stage 2 · Turkish · 1500s nazar "evil eye, amulet", the blue-and-white 'nazar boncuğu' glass bead is hung in homes, cars and on babies' clothes.
3. Stage 3 · English · 2000s nazar "evil-eye amulet", entered English as the eye bead became a popular souvenir and jewellery motif.