2009年6月4日木曜日
Jagaimo
Jagaimo (ジャガイモ) is the word for the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) The imo part of the word is Japanese, and is used for other starchy vegetables such as the sweet potato. Interestingly, though, the jaga is derived from Jakarta, or the old name of the city, Jayakarta. The common potato entered Japan at the end of the 16th century, and the Dutch traders who brought it passed through Jakarta on their way to Nagasaki. As a result, the potato came to be known as the “Jayakarta potato.”
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I just came across your blog to look for this very topic (etymology of "jagaimo"). On related note, do you know what the etymology of "tokei" (時計) is? Does it have to do with the Spanish word "toque" (a knock or chime)?
返信削除Of course, there are more obvious words that come to mind that are somewhat easier to do etymologies for: arubaito (but how did it change its meaning to a part-time job?), sebiro (Savile Row), and nikujyaga (based on British meat-and-potatoes).