unagi

Where does the word "unagi" come from? It comes from Japanese unagi, and was adopted directly into English (late 1900s).

Unagi’s story begins in Japanese: unagi meant “freshwater eel.” The native name for freshwater eel, long eaten grilled with sweet soy glaze. It reached English by late 1900s as unagi. Borrowed as sushi restaurants spread through the West. Today, unagi means freshwater eel, typically grilled and glazed, served as a sushi topping.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · ancient unagi "freshwater eel", the native name for freshwater eel, long eaten grilled with sweet soy glaze.
2. Stage 2 · English · late 1900s unagi "freshwater eel, especially as served in sushi", borrowed as sushi restaurants spread through the West.