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Where does the word "troika" come from? It comes from Russian troika, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
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Where does the word "troika" come from? It comes from Russian troika, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Troika’s story begins in Russian: troika meant “a three-horse carriage.” From "tri" (three), a carriage drawn by three horses abreast. It reached English by 1900s as troika. Extended metaphorically to any group of three in leadership. Today, troika means a group of three people or things, especially working together in leadership.
- Stage 1 · Russian · 1700s-1800s troika "a three-horse carriage", from "tri" (three), a carriage drawn by three horses abreast.
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s troika "a group of three working together", extended metaphorically to any group of three in leadership.