September 26, 2009
guru (noun)
\GOOR-oo\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
1 : a teacher in matters of fundamental concern2 : expert
How do you use it?
Cesar has a knack for taking bikes apart and putting them back together, so we've dubbed him the "grease guru."
Are you a word wiz?

Take a look at the choices below and see if you can guess from which language English borrowed "guru."

You're a Buzzword guru if you chose A, Hindi. When "guru" entered English in the early 1600s, it retained its Hindi meaning of "a personal religious and spiritual teacher in Hinduism." Over time, the meaning of "guru" broadened to refer to a teacher or intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern. Later, it came to be used generally for anyone who might merit the title "expert." English has borrowed many other words from Hindi. Some examples are "bangle," "cheetah," "seersucker" (a light fabric usually striped and having parallel wrinkles) and "veranda" (a long open porch usually with a roof).
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