Just as the Islamic Golden Age witnessed vast economic and scientific prosperity in the Arab World, it also witnessed a cultural awakening that left a heritage that continued to influence other cultures for centuries to come.
Traces of that culture are still very evident today in modern language, especially in the English language . These 10 words prove just how much the Islamic enlightenment influenced our modern life.
1. Coffee - Qahwa
Long before Starbucks made it the most popular drink on Earth, it was the Arabs who enjoyed "qahwa" which is the Arabic word for coffee and the origin of the Turkish word "kahveh" which then became the English word coffee in the 16th century.
2. Syrup - Sharab
The Arabic word "sharab," which means beverage and used to refer to wine, is the origin of the Old French word sirop which then became the English word syrup in the 14th century.
3. Lemon - Laimoon
The plural Arabic word for lemons "laimoon" is the origin of the Old French word limon which then became the English word lemon.
4. Sugar/Candy - Sukkar/Qandi
The Arabic word "qandi" which referred to boiled sugar cane and the Arabic word "sukkar" which means sugar are the origins of the French sucre candi which then became sugar-candy in English until it was shortened to just candy. "Sukkar" on its own is also the origin of the word sugar.
5. Alcohol - Al-Kohl
The Arabic word for eyeliner "al-kohl" which itself has older origins from ancient Egypt where the eye make-up was widely used, is the origin of the French alcool which then became the English word alcohol that took the meaning of a flammable intoxicating liquid in the 17th century.
6. Artichoke - Al-Karsufa
It's believed that Arabs are the ones who cultivated artichoke from the wild cardoon and then distributed it to other parts of the world. That's why the Arabic word "al-karsufa" is the origin of the Spanish alcarchofa which then became the English word artichoke in the 16th century.
7. Caraway - Karawiya
Although "Karawiya" or "Meghli" is a very popular Middle Eastern dish made from caraway seeds, many Arabs don't know that "al-karawiya" is actually the origin of the English word for the caraway plant.
8. Tamarind - Tamr Hindi
Like the Karawiya dessert, "Tamr Hindi" is also very popular in the Middle East in the form of a Ramadan drink made from the products of the tamarind tree. That's why it's also not surprising that the Arabic word "tamr hindi" meaning Indian date is the origin of the word tamarind.
9. Sorbet - Sharibah
The Arabic word "sharibah" which means to drink is the origin of the Turkish shorbet which then became the Italian sorbetto and that became the French word sorbet until the word finally made it into English as sorbet in the 16th century.