My latest fiction series is set in Andalucía, Spain. It is a region I know well, having travelled there several times. Whenever I visit, I try to practise my Spanish (I am far more fluent speaking in French and English), which requires that I listen carefully to the language and read as much native material as possible: from signs and menus to newspapers and tourist guides. In doing so, I invariably notice Spanish words that look very familiar: they have been adopted in English.

Today, for your interest, I am sharing some of the many English words that are of Spanish origin. I think some may just surprise you!

Aficionado: from the verb aficionar, meaning to inspire affection

Alcatraz: means gannet.

Alligator: from el lagarto, meaning the lizard

Armadillo: means little armored one

Bonanza: means prosperity

Breeze: from brisa, meaning a cold wind

Cafeteria: from cafetería, meaning coffee store

Canyon: from cañón, meaning a gorge

Cargo: from the verb cargar, meaning to load

Chocolate: from Nahuatl xocolatl meaning hot water

Cockroach: from cucaracha

Cocoa: from cacao

Comrade: from camarada, meaning mate

Crimson: from Old Spanish cremesín

Crusade: from cruzada

Galleon: galeón, meaning a large sailing ship

Guerrilla: means small war

Hacienda: from Old Spanish facienda, meaning estate

Hurricane: from huracán

Lasso: means tie

Maroon: from cimarrón

Matador: means killer

Mosquito: means little fly

Oregano: from orégano

Patio: from patio, meaning inner courtyard

Platinum: from platina, meaning little silver

Potato: from patata

Ranch: from rancho, meaning a tiny rural community

Renegade: from renegado, meaning heretic or disowned

Salsa: from salsa, meaning sauce

Savvy: from sabe, meaning knows

Stampede: from estampida

Suave: means charming and confident

Tobacco: from tabaco, meaning snuff

Tomato: from tomate

Tornado: from tronada, meaning thunderstorm

Tuna: from atún

Tourist: from turista

Vamoose: from vamos, meaning let’s go

Vanilla: from vainilla

Vigilante: means watchman

How many of these have you been using in everyday conversation without knowing their origins? Do let me know if you have any to add to the list.