ondol

Where does the word "ondol" come from? It comes from Korean ondol, and was adopted directly into English (20th century).

Ondol’s story begins in Korean: ondol meant “a traditional radiant underfloor heating system.” Combining 'on' (warm) and 'dol' (stone), naming a traditional underfloor heating system. It reached English by 20th century as ondol. Hot flue gases from a kitchen fire run under stone floors; UNESCO recognized it in 2021. Today, ondol means a traditional Korean underfloor heating system that warms living spaces from below.

1. Stage 1 · Korean · ancient ondol "a traditional radiant underfloor heating system", combining 'on' (warm) and 'dol' (stone), naming a traditional underfloor heating system.
2. Stage 2 · English · 20th century ondol "a Korean underfloor heating system", hot flue gases from a kitchen fire run under stone floors; UNESCO recognized it in 2021.