CULTURAL INFLUENCES

Konichiwa! Discover Ten English Words With Surprising Japanese Origins!

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Japan, the "Land of the Rising Sun", is definitively a faraway land. While the past few decades have seen a surge in the integration between our two cultures, few languages seem to be as distant and at odds with English as Japanese is: After all, they have completely different writing systems, pronunciations, and sentence structures.

And yet, you might be surprised to learn how many words we use daily, come directly from the Japanese language. We have compiled ten of our favorite words ranging from logical loan words to surprising ones. Enjoy!

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We’ll start with one of the most surprising entries on this list. What image comes to mind when you hear the word "tycoon"? Perhaps a 20th-century top-hat-wearing business magnate like Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, or even the Monopoly Guy (whose name is "Rich Uncle Pennybags", by the way). However, if the Japanese roots of tycoon are to be believed, this word refers to a different kind of leader.

In the 19th century, the Japanese shogun, the country’s leader at the time, opened business relations with the West. During his first government meeting, the American consul to Japan, mistakenly addressed the shogun by the title of taikun, a disused term that loosely translates to "great prince." In time, the word morphed into the "tycoon" spelling we now use, and by the 1920s it was commonly used to describe someone with great wealth and power.

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The preferred resting place for every college student, futons are a comfortable and simple piece of furniture beloved by millions of Americans. Most futons are filled with cotton and are either used as a mattress directly on the floor or framed and used as a sofa or bed. While they might seem like an inexpensive way to decorate an apartment, in Japan futons are a centuries-old tradition that is still maintained by millions of Japanese households.

A traditional Japanese futon consists of a foldable mattress and a duvet, which are both flexible enough to be able to be stored away in a closet during the day. In the 80s, American futons started becoming increasingly popular, although they presented a key difference: most presented a wooden frame, that allowed the mattress to also be folded into a sofa.

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If you ever visited New York City, you have probably seen more than a few rickshaws (or as they are known in America, pedicabs) swiftly dodging traffic and diligently carrying tourists throughout the many streets of the Big Apple. And while most U.S. states have at least one city in which pedicabs are prominent, this environmentally conscious mode of transportation first gained traction in New York City during the '60s.

Interestingly, the word "rickshaw" comes from the Japanese word jinrikisha, which literally translates to "human-powered vehicle". The origins of the rickshaw are still debated, but most sources indicate that it was invented in Japan during the 19th century.

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This one is slightly controversial since the origins of this popular expression are still unknown. However, one of the most accepted theories indicates that at least half of this expression comes from Japan, or at least from American sailors trying to communicate in Japanese.

The "hunky" part of this expression comes from the Dutch word hunk, which means "home". By the 19th century, the adjective hunky had migrated into English, meaning "all right" or "safe". While the reason why this word was partnered with "dory" to form this expression remains a mystery, some believe that it comes from the Japanese word dori, which translates to road. This theory states that American sailors looking for places on which to have a drink combined hunky (which could also be interpreted as "satisfactory") and dori.

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The universal language of the internet, emojis have been extremely popular since the emergence of the online era. These symbols, first known as "emoticons" in the 80s, were comprised of cleverly placed keyboard characters. By the 1990s and early 2000s, the first specially crafted images for online messengers and cellphones were introduced, and their name quickly morphed into the now ubiquitous "emoji".

What’s surprising is how such a silly-sounding word as "emoji" can so perfectly describe what these little smiling pictures mean. It comes from the amalgamation of the Japanese word moji, meaning "letter" or "character", and the prefix e, which means "drawing" or "picture". Therefore, an emoji would literally mean a letter formed by a drawing, which perfectly encapsulates what an emoji actually is.

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Just like with "tycoon", the word "honcho" is sometimes used to describe a prominent boss or leader. While it might have fallen into disuse now, this word was insanely popular in the United States for a while. You might be surprised to know that this word not only comes from Japanese but that it is rather a fully-formed word that found its way from Japan into the American vocabulary.

By the time World War II was coming to an end, American war prisoners came back home after being held captive by the Japanese forces. They brought back the word honcho with them since it is commonly used in the military to refer to squad leaders. The 1950s are probably the time period in which the words "honcho" and "head honcho" were most popular. Famously, General Eisenhower was called the "chief honcho" by a prominent newspaper in 1952.

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In American English, "Skosh" is a funny-sounding word used to describe a tiny amount. You can add a skosh more of salt to your food, you might feel a skosh tired after a long walk and you might ask someone to move a skosh to give you some more space on the couch. This word is sometimes spelled "skoosh", although this is far more popular in the United Kingdom.

Just like with "hunky-dory", skosh was brought back to the States by American soldiers after WWII. It comes from the Japanese word sukoshi, which translates to "a tiny or small amount". The earliest account of this word being used in English comes from 1952.

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Karaoke might be one of Japan’s most iconic contributions to the world. Something is fascinating about how this form of entertainment combines the perfect dose of fun and personal embarrassment. It gives us both a safe space to make fun of ourselves, and a wonderful stage on which to perform our favorite songs.

While karaoke is definitively a loan word, it has found its way into every single English dictionary. It is definitively untranslatable: Karaoke is derived from the Japanese words kara (empty) and ōkesutora (orchestra). Curiously, this Japanese staple is so beloved by American culture that the United States holds the world record for the most people singing karaoke when over 160,000 people sang Garth Brooks’ "Friends in Low Places" in 2009.

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Just like with karaoke, tsunami is a Japanese word that can’t really be translated. Well, it technically can be translated to "harbor wave" but let’s be honest: Tsunami has a way better ring to it. In English, this word is mostly used in a metaphorical sense, usually to describe a big and sudden influx. For instance, a restaurant could experience a tsunami of bad reviews, or someone facing a big decision could be met with a tsunami of advice.

While tsunamis are definitively a disheartening natural disaster, they have been featured in many pieces of Japanese art. Most famously, 19th-century Japanese artist Hokusai created an iconic woodprint called "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" depicting a tsunami, which is now synonymous with traditional Japanese culture.

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We’ll end this article with what’s probably the most beloved Japanese icon in modern times. Sushi has become an absolute staple in world cuisine, up to the point that you would have an insanely hard time finding a major city anywhere that doesn’t have at least a few sushi restaurants. The United States quickly embraced sushi since its rise in popularity in the 1960s, and it even introduced its own signature pieces like the California or Philadelphia rolls.

For such a simple word, sushi has a rather interesting etymology. It is mostly derived from the Japanese word su, which means vinegar. The meaning of the suffix shi is debated since no one really knows how it got attached to su to form the word sushi. However, some believe that shi might mean "to fix" or "to control", which makes sense considering how every sushi piece is meticulously crafted and arranged.

THE DOCTOR'S DICTIONARY

Have You Heard These 10 Medical Terms For Common Conditions?

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Medicine is a dynamic field, constantly advancing and evolving. With its continuous progress and complexities, deciphering its mysteries can often feel like a challenge, especially when it comes to interpreting doctors' lexicon.

Terms like "dorsalgia" or "pyrexia" may sound unfamiliar and intimidating, but chances are you've already experienced some of them, as they're closer to everyday experiences than you might think.

Let's open the dictionary to discover these 10 medical terms for the most common conditions. Join us!

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While this word sounds like the majestic name of an ancient deity, it actually refers to something much more simple and mundane: a tummy ache.

"Dyspepsia," a medical term for common indigestion, ranks among the most common conditions. It includes the well-known stomach pain, along with sensations of bloating and fullness.

The term has Greek origins, where Dys- can be translated as "bad" or "difficult," and Peptos means "digested."

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Welcome to the world of headaches. Some mild, others truly unbearable. Depending on their cause and intensity, headaches can become really annoying, disrupting even the simplest tasks. Do you remember your last one? You probably do, as they tend to be a regular condition, with primary, acute headaches being the most typical.

"Cephalalgia" is the medical term that refers to this common pain. Also with Greek roots, the word is a fusion of kephalḗ****, "head," and álgos, "pain."

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While this little word may seem funny, its actual meaning isn't quite as charming. Have you ever had a coughing fit at the movies? People can get irritated, right? Well, we should not forget that coughing can be very annoying and even exhausting for the person experiencing it.

If you want to sound more sophisticated the next time you discuss coughs, you can opt for the medical term "tussis," which denotes this discomfort.

Coughing can occur voluntarily or involuntarily and serves as a natural reflex to clear the throat and airways.

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Now that we know the suffix -****algia means "pain," let's find out what's behind the rest of this word.

Dorsum is a Latin term meaning "back." Thus, "Dorsalgia" refers to the notorious and often persistent back pain. Typically, it only denotes the type of back pains originating in nerves, muscles, and joints.

Taking care of your posture throughout the day, also during sleep, and incorporating daily exercise is crucial to prevent or help reduce dorsalgia.

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You've probably heard the word "conjunctivitis" before, as it is a bit more widespread than the previous terms (and, of course, it's the official name for a very, very common condition.)

As you might know, in the medical world, the suffix -itis refers to an inflammation. On the other hand, "conjunctiva" is the name for your eye's outer layer. So, conjunctivitis basically refers to a common pink eye, that familiar discomfort marked by redness, inflammation, and an annoying itchiness.

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Whether you're a kid or a grown-up, we all have those days when we're hit with a case of "pyrexia". Sure, it may have given us a few days off from school, but let's be real, dealing with this discomfort can be a true challenge.

Also known as fever, pyrexia is when your body temperature rises above the normal range (100°F or higher for adults). And as if that wasn't enough, it brings some other symptoms like headaches and sensitivity to light.

Fever often acts as our body's defense against infections. But, of course, there are a lot of other non-infectious reasons that can awaken the fever monster.

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Did you know that 1 in 3 adults worldwide are diagnosed with this condition? It's called "hypertension" in the medical world, but we all know it better as high blood pressure, a condition where the pressure within your blood vessels climbs to unhealthy levels.

Although it is quite frequent among the population, its commonality doesn't reduce its seriousness. Furthermore, since hypertension often manifests without evident symptoms, many people are unaware they have it. So, always remember to get your medical checkups!

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While it could be a spell pronounced by Harry Potter and his friends, "viral rhinitis" is something much less mystical; it's actually just the fancy term for a common cold.

"Rhinitis" refers to the inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane inside your nose, while "viral" indicates that it is caused by a virus.

Unfortunately, we've all been there: weak, congested, and sneezing. While it's true that some colds are worse than others, nobody enjoys dealing with one. Bless you!

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In today's fast-paced world, stress and anxiety can directly affect your teeth, as "bruxism" is becoming increasingly common among people of all ages worldwide. If you don't know its formal name, you may recognize it by its other identity: teeth grinding.

This is a condition in which you gnash, grind, or clench your teeth, often involuntarily, and can happen both during the day and night, although nocturnal bruxism is more common. This involuntary practice generates other complications, such as headaches and jaw pain or sleep interruptions. If you find yourself nodding along, it might be time to visit the much-feared dentist!

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Few things can compete with the pain of this condition called "otitis." Known to all of us as an ear infection, otitis is more common in children than adults, but can strike anyone at any age.

As hinted by its suffix, otitis causes inflammation in the middle ear. This can be a real torture and will certainly keep you awake at night. Fortunately, treatments are usually simple and quick, and this annoying condition often clears up within a few days.