Kohl Gave English the Word Alcohol
Kohl is a dark eye cosmetic used since antiquity. Its Arabic name travelled into an unexpected English word.
Kohl is a dark powder used since antiquity to darken the eyelids, worn across North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Arabic *al-kuhl* named the fine powder produced by grinding or subliming a mineral, and European alchemists borrowed the word for any refined essence — then for distilled spirit, which is how *alcohol* came to mean what it does. A cosmetic named a chemical class. Egyptian kohl also had a practical purpose, reducing glare from the sun.
- An eye cosmetic. *Lined with kohl.*
- A fine powder. *Al-kuhl.*
- Alcohol — the same root. *Alcohol.*
- Ancient Egypt. *Where it was common.*
- Arabic — *al-kuhl*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | kohl | Kohl. |
| Related | alcohol | Alcohol. |
| Arabic | al-kuhl | The powder. |
| Related | alkali | Alkali. |
| Related | kajal | Kajal. |
- Her eyes were lined with kohl.Cosmetic.
- Alcohol shares the root.Etymology.
- It reduced glare.Function.
From powder to spirit
- Al-kuhl meant a fine powder made by subliming a mineral
- Alchemists widened it to any refined essence
- Then to the essence drawn off by distillation
- Then specifically to distilled spirit of wine
- Finally to the chemical class bearing the name today
Arabic *al-kuhl*, the powder, source also of English *alcohol*.
Are kohl and alcohol the same word?
Yes. Arabic al-kuhl named a fine powder, and alchemists widened it to any refined essence, then to distilled spirit.
Why did Egyptians wear kohl?
For appearance and also practically, since the dark line around the eyes reduced glare from the sun.