yamen

Where does the word "yamen" come from? It comes from Chinese yámen, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Yamen’s story begins in Chinese: yámen meant “a local government office.” Named the office and residence of a local government official. It reached English by 1800s as yamen. Chinese 'office of the flags', from the banners outside a magistrate's gate. Today, yamen means historically, the office and residence of a Chinese government official or magistrate.

1. Stage 1 · Chinese · medieval yámen "a local government office", named the office and residence of a local government official.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s yamen "the office and court of a Chinese magistrate", Chinese 'office of the flags', from the banners outside a magistrate's gate.