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OP An interesting etymology:
"intelligentsia" was borrowed from Russian, which
in turn borrowed it from Latin -> French. Obviously,
English is much closer to Latin than any Slavic language.
(I understand though that intelligentsia originally
described a specific Russian elite class and therefore
conveys the intended meaning more clearly...)
So, here is my question:
How do you call words that are re-borrowed
or double-borrowed? Anybody knows other examples?
P.S. As a non-native speaker, I learned more
English words reading the board posts here than
through reading newspapers and stuff... Thanks a lot!!!
Can't think of the word you're looking for, but check out
the l-o-n-g etymology of the following! A(nu)mazing!
Date: Thu Apr 13 00:05:14 EDT 2000
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--janissary
X-Bonus: A man does not have to be an angel in order to be saint. -Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
janissary (JAN-i-ser-ee) also janizary (-ZER-ee) noun
1. A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters.
2. A soldier in an elite Turkish guard organized in the 14th century
and abolished in 1826.
[French janissaire, from Old French jehanicere, from Old Italian giannizero,from Ottoman Turkish yani cheri, new army : yani, new + cheri, special troops (from Middle Persian cherih, bravery, victory, from cher, brave,
victorious, from Avestan chairya-, vigorous, brave).]
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