Etymology Map
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Saz

3 stages from Persian to English.

Today it means a long-necked Turkish lute

Where does the word "saz" come from? It comes from Persian sāz, passing through Turkish before entering English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sāz
Persian · medieval
"musical instrument"
meant an instrument, or the tuning of one
2
Stage 2 of 3
saz
Turkish · 1500s
"long-necked lute"
the instrument of the wandering 'aşık' folk poets of Anatolia
3
Stage 3 of 3
saz
English · 1900s
"Turkish lute"
entered English with Turkish folk music, and with the Turkish community in Germany and Britain
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Read the full story

Saz’s story begins in Persian: sāz meant “musical instrument.” Meant an instrument, or the tuning of one. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Turkish as saz. The instrument of the wandering 'aşık' folk poets of Anatolia. It reached English by 1900s as saz. Entered English with Turkish folk music, and with the Turkish community in Germany and Britain. Today, saz means a long-necked Turkish lute.