Verbal 4 - English Words of Foreign Origin

Indian Words

Yoga - Hindu system of physical and mental exercise
Tantra - religious writing
Tonga - horse-drawn carriage
Wallah - somebody in charge of certain thing
Dhoti - Indian male unstitched garment wrapped on waist.
Avatar - incarnation
Gunny - jute bag, sack
Nawab - Indian nobleman in Mughal Empire
Sahib - respectful form of address for men
Pundit - Expert, authority, priest
Guru - teacher, wise leader
Sandal - type of wood
Chutney - sweet and sour sauce
Pachisi - board game
Nirvana - heaven, freedom
Myna - bird
Karma - fate
Dharma - code of conduct of Hindus
Ginger - spice
Stupa - dome-shaped structure where ashes are kept


German Words

Pumpernickel - a dark, dense, sour bread
Kindergarden - a school or class for young children
Hoodium - a petty criminal
Delicatessen - prepared food sold in a shop serving

Loafers - casual leather slip-on shoe / imported or unusual foods; such a shop

Glitch - minor hitch. lazy person

Glisten - to shine

Dutch Words

Landscape - scenery

Holster - leather case for firearm

Sleigh - sledge

Caboose - rail guard's van

Colesaw - salad made with mayonnaise dressing

Boss - senior or person in charge of

Cookie - biscuit

Freight - commercial transport especially railways or ship

Snoop - meddle, spy on

Skipper - Captain of ship or Team   (eg., Our MS Dhoni!!!)

Bumpkin - rustic

Bed spread - bed cover, decorative covering on bed

Japanese Words

Tsunami - large destructive ocean wave

Hibachi - a portable barbeque

Tycoon - powerful and wealthy businessman

Bonsai - art of growing miniature trees

Bonzai - a patriotic battle cry or shout

Origami - Japanese art of paper folding

Samurai - former Japanese form of unarmed combat
Karate - traditional Japanese form of unarmed combat

Shogun - any hereditary military commands in feudal Japan

Kimono - traditional Japanese garment

African Words

Banana - tropical plant and its fruit

Daishiki - clothes

Chimpanzee - an ape

Samba - a Brazilian dance of African origin

Yam - a root vegetable

Okra - lady's finger plant, a vegetable

Tse-tse - two-winged bitting fly


Spanish Words

Bolero - Spanish Dance
Fiesta - religious festival or celebration
Primero - card game played in 16th and 17th century
Tango - Latin or American or Spanish dance
Ombre - card game popular in 18th century
Domino - board game
Quadrile - card game for four players; a French dance
Spade - digging tool
Monte - betting game played with cards
Castanets - wooden or plastic device that makes a clicking sound when pressed by palm of hand
Embargo - restricting commerce
Pronto - fast
Galleon - large sailing vessel
Grenade - small bomb
Guerrilla - independent soldiers
Flotilla - group of Ships
Garrote - strangulation
Junta - ruling group
Intransigent - inflexible
Machete - large, heavy knife
Parade - large public procession
Anchory - small savoury fish
Sherry - fortified wine
Tortilla - thin Mexican pan cake or chips
Marinade - seasoned, flavoured liquid used to soak meat
Sarsaparilla - drink made from root of plant
Bravado - bluster
Barbeque - an open grill or fire place
Sassafras - aromatic tree whose bark has medicinal value
Adobe - sun dried brick
Canyon - deep valley with steep sides
Arroyo - gulch
Toreador - bull fighter
Senorita - Miss
Senora - Mrs
Senor - Mr
Metador - Bull fighter
Renegade - deserter
Don - lord or gentleman
Dona - title of respect for a married woman
Desperado - bold, reckless criminal
Albino - person deficient of pigmentation
Patio - courtyard
Pueblo - adobe house
Hacienda - landed estate
Sierra - chain of hills or mountains
Vega - grassy plain
Plaza - open space or square; complex of shops
Esplande - level space
El Dorado - fictious country rich in gold
Rodeo - showing of cowboy skills
Lariat - long, noosed rope for catching horses
Bronco - untamed horse
Lasso - long noosed rope, lariat
Gaucho - cowboy of South American Pampas