Kaput

/kəˈpʊt/ adjective

Definition

Completely broken, ruined, or no longer working.

Etymology

From German 'kaputt' which comes from French 'capot' (losing all tricks in card games). It entered English during the 20th century, particularly through German loanwords.

Kelly Says

Kaput traveled from card game terminology into German slang, then into English—showing how words hop between languages along cultural contact points, especially during wartime and trade.

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