Etymology Map
Back to all words

Ondol

2 stages from Korean to English.

Today it means a traditional Korean underfloor heating system that warms living spaces from below

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

1
Stage 1 of 2
ondol
Korean · ancient
"a traditional radiant underfloor heating system"
combining 'on' (warm) and 'dol' (stone), naming a traditional underfloor heating system
2
Stage 2 of 2
ondol
English · 20th century
"a Korean underfloor heating system"
borrowed by architects and writers describing traditional Korean home heating
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom