Etymology Map
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Tarboosh

4 stages from Persian to English.

Today it means a red felt cap, similar to a fez, traditionally worn by Muslim men in the Middle East

Where does the word "tarboosh" come from? It comes from Persian sar + push, passing through Ottoman Turkish and Arabic before entering English (1695-1705).

1
Stage 1 of 4
sar + push
Persian · medieval
"head covering"
compound of sar, "head," and push, "cover"
2
Stage 2 of 4
terposh
Ottoman Turkish · medieval
"head cap"
adapted the Persian compound for a brimless cap
3
Stage 3 of 4
tarbush
Arabic · 1600s
"red felt cap"
spread the cap and its name through Ottoman Arab lands
4
Stage 4 of 4
tarboosh
English · 1695-1705
"red felt cap"
entered English describing the red felt cap similar to the fez
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