English words from Russian
Words English borrowed from Russian, several of them arriving with a headline attached.
- Alaska
"Alaska" comes from the Aleut word "alaxsxaq," which roughly translates to "the mainland" or, more literally, "the object toward which the action of the sea is directed." Russian explorers picked up the term from Aleut speakers in the 18th century, and it…
From the Mon, Sep 14, 2026 roundup → - Sputnik
Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, was the first artificial satellite and the opening shot of the Space Race. Its name simply means "satellite" or "traveling companion" in Russian. President Eisenhower reportedly downplayed it as "one…
From the Sun, Aug 2, 2026 roundup →