Café
/kæˈfeɪ/noun
A small restaurant or coffeehouse, often offering light refreshments.
Did you know?The word 'café' originally referred to a place where coffee was served, but it also became synonymous with secretive meeting spots during times of political unrest.
Etymological Timeline
Arabic
Arabic
قهوة (qahwa)
“Originally meant 'wine' or 'intoxicating drink', referring to coffee's stimulating effects.”
15th Century
Turkish
kahve
“Borrowed from Arabic, it specifically referred to the coffee drink.”
16th Century
Italian
caffè
“Derived from Turkish, meaning 'coffee', indicating a place to drink it.”
17th Century
French
café
“Used to describe a coffeehouse where patrons could gather, socialize, and discuss ideas.”
Modern English
English
café
“A loanword from French, it indicates a casual setting for coffee and light meals, often linked to social interaction.”
Explore more surprising origins