1- BOSH
Word History
From Turkish boş, meaning empty; from Old Turkic boš, meaning free, released. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/bosh
The word ‘bosh’ in English is used to denote nonsense or foolish talk. It has its roots in the 19th century, particularly popularized by the novel Ayesha, the Maid of Kars (1834) by James Justinian Morier, where it was introduced into English vernacular.
In contemporary English, ‘bosh’ is considered informal and somewhat old-fashioned. It’s often used to dismiss someone’s statements as absurd or meaningless. For example: 
- “Don’t believe a word he says—it’s all bosh.”
- “That idea is pure bosh!”
2- CARACAL
Word History
From Ottoman Turkish qaraqūlāq: qara, meaning ‘black’ (from to Old Turkic qarā) + qūlāq, meaning ‘ear’ (from Old Turkic qulqaq, qulxaq). https://www.thefreedictionary.com/caracal
Caracals are beautiful wildcats in Africa and southwestern Asia that have short fawn-colored fur and long tufted ears.
3- HORDE
Word History
‘tribe or army of Mongols and Turkic peoples’ (e.g., the Golden Horde); from northwestern Turkic ordï, encampment, residence, court; from Old Turkic ordu. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/horde
The word ‘horde’ in English means ‘a large wandering group or crowd; a swarm,’ and in modern-day Turkish, ordu means ‘military.’ Ordu is also the root of the word ‘Urdu’—the official language of Pakistan.
4- LACKEY
Word History
From Ottoman Turkish ulak, meaning ‘courier’; from Old Turkic ulaq, meaning ‘stage horse, relay horse, postal delivery,’ from ulamaq, meaning ‘to join, connect.’ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/lackey
While ‘lackey’ essentially means ‘male servant’ in English,…
…it also has some negative connotations; a ‘lackey’ refers to a follower who obeys orders without question, often to gain favor, implying a lack of independence or self-respect, and suggesting that the individual is spineless or overly compliant. Overall, it’s used derogatorily to describe someone who lacks personal agency.
5- ODALISQUE
Word History
: From Turkish odalık, meaning ‘chambermaid, female slave attending women of the harem’; from oda, meaning ‘room’; from Old Turkic otāğ, meaning ‘tent, temporary dwellling of nomads,’ originally meaning ‘place where a fire is lit’ and akin to ōt, meaning ‘fire’ + -lık, suffix expressing function. https://www.thefreedictionary.com/odalisque
In English, ‘odalisque’ means ‘a woman slave in a harem’ and ‘an artistic representation of such a slave.’ The earliest known usage in English dates back to 1681, as noted in Blount’s Glossographia. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, it became a prominent subject in European art, particularly within Orientalist paintings. Today, ‘odalisque’ retains its association with both historical contexts and artistic representations. It’s often used to refer to the specific genre of art featuring women in repose, reflecting themes of beauty that have persisted through the centuries.
6- YURT
Word History
From Turkic; Turkish yurt, meaning ‘abode, home, fatherland.’ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/yurt
Nowadays, yurts are marketed as luxury resort accommodations in the US.
And in modern-day Turkish, daire means both ‘apartment home’ and ‘circle.’ Even though apartments are obviously cornered and box-like structures, the original shape of Turkic dwellings was circular, as are yurts.
Bonus: ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG 🐕
The ‘Anatolian shepherd dog’ (known as Sivas Kangalı in Türkiye) is a dog breed native to Sivas, Türkiye and has made its way into online English dictionaries: ‘(noun) a large powerfully-built dog of a breed with a large head and a short dense cream or fawn coat, originally used for guarding sheep.’ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Anatolian+Shepherd+Dog
Feared by even the fiercest of wolves, Anatolian shepherd dogs are best known for their loyalty, protective instinct, size, strength, and intelligence.
If dogs had a king, it would undoubtedly be an Anatolian shepherd dog.
