Is 'Safari' really an English word, and what are its origins?

Question

We are all used to this word safari. I think most people will agree that its usage is ubiquitous when referring to going for holiday (esp. overland travel in Africa).

So is this word a true English word? What are the origins?

Answer 1

Whether or not it is a true English word and where it came from are two completely different questions. We borrow words from many languages, but they are still real English words.

It is borrowed from Swahili [safari], which was in turn borrowed from Arabic [سفاري].

It has been attested in dictionaries as part of the English language since c. 1890.

Answer 2

The FreeOnlineDictionary reports it as having an Arabic origin.

Etymonline says:

1890 (attested from 1860 as a foreign word), from Swahili, lit. "journey, expedition," from Arabic, lit. "referring to a journey," from safar "journey" (which itself is attested in English as a foreign word from 1858).

Answer 3

The NOAD reports that the origin of the word is late 19th century from Kiswahili, from Arabic safara (to travel).

Answer 4

I think it is Arabic, found in 1860 as a foreign word - from Swahili - journey,expedition so the word safari is referring to journey which is nearly the meaning of it!