Yarmulke
/ˈjɑːr.məl.kə/noun
A skullcap traditionally worn by Jewish men, especially during prayer or religious study.
Did you know?The popular explanation that yarmulke means “fear the King” in Hebrew is a later folk etymology, not the word’s documented linguistic origin.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Turkic (proposed source)
Turkic
yağmurluk
“A rain garment or waterproof outer covering; this proposed source is uncertain.”
16th–17th Century
Ukrainian
ярмулка (yarmulka)
“A small cap or skullcap; an early Slavic form related to the later Jewish head-covering term.”
17th–18th Century
Polish
jarmułka
“A skullcap or small cap.”
18th Century
Yiddish
יאַרמולקע (yarmulke)
“A Jewish skullcap, especially one worn by men.”
Modern English
English
yarmulke
“A skullcap worn by Jewish men, particularly for religious observance.”