Surprising Spanish Roots of Common English Vocabulary

Certain words Americans use extensively may seem intrinsically English, yet have surprising Spanish origins. With Mexican cuisine beloved in the U.S., multiple terms have seamlessly entered everyday vocabulary. When not discussing quesadillas at a taquería, we still regularly employ absorbed words and phrases traceable back to Spanish roots. (Spanish isn’t the only language that has influenced English. Here are 30 English words you didn’t know came from Arabic.)

Many everyday Spanish words emerged from early 16th century explorers like Ponce de León. Predating the British, Spanish settlers occupied much of modern-day Southern U.S. and beyond – from Florida to California. This 300-year colonial reign brought Spanish not just to America, but integrated words still common today. Well before English took hold, Spanish language and culture took root across former outposts like Louisiana, Texas, the Southwest states, and California. Vestiges of this influence persist in place names like San Antonio and Los Angeles alongside vocabulary.

24/7 Tempo consulted the Oxford English Dictionary and language sites including Babbel. to compile a list of some everyday English words that are of Spanish origin – either spelled the same way, usually with the same meaning or drawn from a similarly spelled Spanish term. We have omitted familiar culinary terms.

Some of these words listed – including lariat, bronco, and ranch – are derived from the Spanish equestrian tradition that would become U.S. cowboy culture. Others are the names of plants and animals that are common south of our border. (Many Spanish words are based on Latin, the language that Spanish descended from. Here are 30 Latin phrases that everyone should know.)

Here are everyday English words that are of Spanish Origin

Alligator

• Spanish origin: El lagarto
• Meaning in Spanish: The lizard

Banana

• Spanish origin: Banana
• Meaning in Spanish: Banana

Bonanza

• Spanish origin: Bonanza
• Meaning in Spanish: Prosperity, bonanza

Breeze

• Spanish origin: Brisa
• Meaning in Spanish: Breeze, air

Bronco

• Spanish origin: Bronco
• Meaning in Spanish: Rough

Cabana

• Spanish origin: Cabaña
• Meaning in Spanish: Cabin

Cafeteria

• Spanish origin: Cafetería
• Meaning in Spanish: Café, coffee shop

Canyon

• Spanish origin: Cañón
• Meaning in Spanish: Gorge, tube

Cargo

• Spanish origin: Cagar
• Meaning in Spanish: To load

Cockroach

• Spanish origin: Cucaracha
• Meaning in Spanish: Cockroach

Corral

• Spanish origin: Corral
• Meaning in Spanish: Corral, pen, barnyard

Embargo

• Spanish origin: Embargar
• Meaning in Spanish: To seize

Guerrilla

• Spanish origin: Guerrilla
• Meaning in Spanish: Guerrilla, warfare

Jade

• Spanish origin: Piedra de ijada
• Meaning in Spanish: Stone of the flank (jade was thought to cure pains in the side)

Lariat

• Spanish origin: La reata
• Meaning in Spanish: The lariat or rope

Marijuana

• Spanish origin: Marihuana (Mexican Spanish)
• Meaning in Spanish: Marijuana, cannabis

Mosquito

• Spanish origin: Mosquito
• Meaning in Spanish: Little fly or gnat

Mustang

• Spanish origin: Mestengo (archaic Mexican Spanish)
• Meaning in Spanish: Stray, wild

Patio

• Spanish origin: Patio
• Meaning in Spanish: Patio, courtyard

Platinum

• Spanish origin: Platino
• Meaning in Spanish: Little silver

Plaza

• Spanish origin: Plaza
• Meaning in Spanish: Square, plaza

Ranch

• Spanish origin: Rancho
• Meaning in Spanish: Ranch

Renegade

• Spanish origin: Renegado
• Meaning in Spanish: Turncoat, heretic

Savvy

• Spanish origin: Sabe
• Meaning in Spanish: Knows

Stampede

• Spanish origin: Estampida
• Meaning in Spanish: Stampede

Suave

• Spanish origin: Suave
• Meaning in Spanish: Smooth

Tornado

• Spanish origin: Tornado
• Meaning in Spanish: Tornado, twister

Vanilla

• Spanish origin: Vainilla
• Meaning in Spanish: Little pod

Vigilante

• Spanish origin: Vigilante
• Meaning in Spanish: Watchman

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