yarlyk

Where does the word "yarlyk" come from? It comes from Old Turkic yarlıq, passing through Russian before entering English (1800s).

Yarlyk’s story begins in Old Turkic: yarlıq meant “decree.” A ruler's written order. By 1200s-1400s, the word had taken hold in Russian as yarlyk. Russian princes had to travel to the Golden Horde's capital at Sarai to receive a yarlyk confirming their right to rule. It reached English by 1800s as yarlyk. Used by historians of Russia under the Mongols. Today, yarlyk means a decree or patent issued by a Mongol or Tatar khan.

1. Stage 1 · Old Turkic · medieval yarlıq "decree", a ruler's written order.
2. Stage 2 · Russian · 1200s-1400s yarlyk "khan's patent", Russian princes had to travel to the Golden Horde's capital at Sarai to receive a yarlyk confirming their right to rule.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s yarlyk "a khan's decree", used by historians of Russia under the Mongols.