poncho

Where does the word "poncho" come from? It comes from Mapuche (Araucanian) pontho, passing through Spanish before entering English (1800s).

Poncho’s story begins in Mapuche (Araucanian): pontho meant “a woolen cloak.” A simple woolen cloak with a hole for the head. By 1600s-1700s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as poncho. Mapuche weavers made wool ponchos. It reached English by 1800s as poncho. Today, poncho means a simple outer garment made from a single piece of fabric with a hole for the head.

1. Stage 1 · Mapuche (Araucanian) · pre-1500s pontho "a woolen cloak", a simple woolen cloak with a hole for the head.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1600s-1700s poncho "a cloak with a head opening", Mapuche weavers made wool ponchos.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s poncho "a simple cloak-like garment with an opening for the head", .