Vol. 09 · Loanwords ·Japanese ·1950s
Skosh
from 少し (sukoshi)
- Meaning
- A small amount; a little.
- Source word
- 少し (sukoshi)
- Route into English
- Japanese *sukoshi* (a little) → English via US servicemen stationed in Japan after 1945. Casual register only; nearly always in the phrase "a skosh more."
- Arrived
- 1950s
From Japanese
Two waves — Meiji-era diplomatic contact (1850s–1900s) and post-war US military presence (1945–) account for almost all Japanese loans in general English.
English borrows.
Browse the full loanword atlas or explore another source language.