From foreign lands into the English lexicon

Who knew that the words seersucker, khaki, and taffeta originated in Persia? Or how about the lowly origins of poodle? That word was derived from the German pudelhund or “puddle dog.” The poodle was bred as a hunting dog to retrieve waterfowl shot by its master. Examining the twists and turns that words take over time can be entertaining as well as educational and “The Insect That Stole Butter?’’ (Oxford University) edited by Julia Cresswell is a particularly engaging volume. Adding to the fun are 18 essays discussing common words and expressions that languages from Arabic to Yiddish have contributed to English.