ylang-ylang

Where does the word "ylang-ylang" come from? It comes from Tagalog ilang-ilang, and was adopted directly into English (1870s).

Ylang-ylang’s story begins in Tagalog: ilang-ilang meant “the fragrant cananga flower.” Usually explained as 'of the wilderness', from ilang; the tree (Cananga odorata) is native to the Philippines and Indonesia. It reached English by 1870s as ylang-ylang. Entered English through the perfume trade; French colonial planters in the 1900s made the Comoros and Madagascar's Nosy Be the main producers, and Chanel No. 5 (1921) uses its oil. Today, ylang-ylang means a tropical tree with fragrant yellow flowers; the perfume oil made from them.

1. Stage 1 · Tagalog · 1600s ilang-ilang "the fragrant cananga flower", usually explained as 'of the wilderness', from ilang; the tree (Cananga odorata) is native to the Philippines and Indonesia.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1870s ylang-ylang "perfume oil from the cananga flower", entered English through the perfume trade; French colonial planters in the 1900s made the Comoros and Madagascar's Nosy Be the main producers, and Chanel No. 5 (1921) uses its oil.