nyama choma

Where does the word "nyama choma" come from? It comes from Swahili nyama choma, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Nyama choma’s story begins in Swahili: nyama choma meant “roasted meat.” Literally roasted meat, from nyama (meat) and choma (to roast). It reached English by 1900s as nyama choma. Swahili 'roasted meat', usually goat, eaten with ugali and kachumbari. Today, nyama choma means a popular East African dish of grilled or roasted meat, especially goat or beef.

1. Stage 1 · Swahili · medieval nyama choma "roasted meat", literally roasted meat, from nyama (meat) and choma (to roast).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s nyama choma "East African grilled or roasted meat", Swahili 'roasted meat', usually goat, eaten with ugali and kachumbari.