obi

Where does the word "obi" come from? It comes from Japanese obi, and was adopted directly into English (1800s-1900s).

Obi’s story begins in Japanese: obi meant “a sash.” The wide sash worn around a kimono. It reached English by 1800s-1900s as obi. Geisha tie the obi at the back; the knot style shows age and status. Today, obi means a wide sash worn around the waist with a Japanese kimono.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · medieval obi "a sash", the wide sash worn around a kimono.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s-1900s obi "a wide sash worn with a kimono", geisha tie the obi at the back; the knot style shows age and status.