shongololo

Where does the word "shongololo" come from? It comes from Zulu ishongololo, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Shongololo’s story begins in Zulu: ishongololo meant “millipede.” From ukushonga, 'to roll up', describing how the creature coils when disturbed. It reached English by 1900s as shongololo. Zulu 'rolled up', since the millipede curls into a coil when disturbed. Today, shongololo means a large African millipede that rolls into a coil when disturbed.

1. Stage 1 · Zulu · ancient ishongololo "millipede", from ukushonga, 'to roll up', describing how the creature coils when disturbed.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s shongololo "a large African millipede", Zulu 'rolled up', since the millipede curls into a coil when disturbed.