roc

Where does the word "roc" come from? It comes from Persian rukh, passing through Arabic before entering English (1570s).

Roc’s story begins in Persian: rukh meant “giant mythical bird.” Name of a monstrous bird in Persian legend, of unknown deeper origin. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Arabic as rukhkh. Carried the legend into Arabic storytelling, including the Arabian Nights. It reached English by 1570s as roc. Entered English through Marco Polo's travel accounts and later translations of the Arabian Nights. Today, roc means a legendary bird of enormous size and strength in Middle Eastern and Persian mythology.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval rukh "giant mythical bird", name of a monstrous bird in Persian legend, of unknown deeper origin.
2. Stage 2 · Arabic · medieval rukhkh "giant predatory bird", carried the legend into Arabic storytelling, including the Arabian Nights.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1570s roc "legendary giant bird", entered English through Marco Polo's travel accounts and later translations of the Arabian Nights.