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Where does the word "tsetse" come from? It comes from Tswana tsetse, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
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Where does the word "tsetse" come from? It comes from Tswana tsetse, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).
Tsetse’s story begins in Tswana: tsetse meant “tsetse fly.” An imitative name for the biting insect. It reached English by 1800s as tsetse. Tswana 'fly'; tsetse flies spread sleeping sickness. Today, tsetse means a blood-feeding African fly that can transmit sleeping sickness.
- Stage 1 · Tswana · ancient tsetse "tsetse fly", an imitative name for the biting insect.
- Stage 2 · English · 1800s tsetse "a blood-feeding African fly", Tswana 'fly'; tsetse flies spread sleeping sickness.