Asian Loan Words in English: Polynesian

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff Updated by an Factmonster Editor on February 21, 2017

Asian loan words in English

Hawaiian: hula; luau; ukelele, from words meaning "flea jumping."
Tahitian: tattoo, introduced to the English-speaking world by Capt. James Cook in his account of his voyage around the world from 1768 to1771. Sailors later brought the actual custom to Europe.
Tongan: taboo, like tattoo, occurs for the first time in Capt. James Cook's journals.

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