The term cigarette made its debut in American English during the 1830s and 1840s, originating from French loanwords. It is a diminutive form of the French word cigare, which was borrowed in the late 18th century from the word cigar. Further tracing back, cigar appears to have been adopted in the 1730s from the Spanish term cigarro (with the same meaning). The etymology becomes intriguing here. Some sources suggest that cigarro is derived from the Mayan word sik, meaning “tobacco”, although the Oxford English Dictionary challenges this claim. Other theories propose that it may stem from the earlier Spanish word cigarra, meaning “cicada”, due to a perceived resemblance in shape; that it could originate from the Spanish term cigarral, meaning “summer-house”; or that it may have roots in an Arabic word signifying “little house”. Regardless of its origins, the history of the word is captivating!
