Color or Fruit? On the Unlikely Etymology of “Orange”

9/9/2018

This essay delves into the fascinating etymology of the word 'orange' and how it came to represent both a color and a fruit. The author explores the history, language, and cultural connections that led to the adoption of the term 'orange' in English. The essay traces the word back to its roots in Sanskrit, where it referred to the bitter fruit, and follows its journey through various languages and cultures, including Arabic, Spanish, and Old French. It also examines the unique challenges faced in naming the color orange compared to other colors. Overall, this essay provides an intriguing exploration of the linguistic and cultural factors that shaped the usage and meaning of the word 'orange'.

etymology ꞏ word origins ꞏ language ꞏ linguistics ꞏ color names ꞏ fruit names ꞏ orange fruit ꞏ color perception ꞏ linguistic history ꞏ word meanings ꞏ semantic change ꞏ color symbolism ꞏ cultural significance ꞏ language evolution ꞏ phonetics ꞏ color terms ꞏ language development ꞏ historical linguistics ꞏ lexicon ꞏ word usage ꞏ etymological research ꞏ color psychology ꞏ semiotics ꞏ cognitive science ꞏ cultural anthropology ꞏ cultural identity ꞏ communication ꞏ language study ꞏ linguistic relativity