An Etymological Study of the Word 'Soup': Asian Roots and Cultural Spread

This article presents an empirical study of the origin and dissemination of the word “soup” (sg. [sup], pl. [sʊˈpɨ]) and the concept of liquid dishes known by this name. The analysis of historical-etymological sources, linguistic comparisons, and the author's research challenges the widely accepted theory that the Russian word “soup” was borrowed from French. The author of this article suggests that the word “soup” has ancient Asian, possibly Turkic or even Proto-Indo-European roots, associated with the concept of “water” or “liquid.” These Asian roots also include the region of Asia Minor. The study reveals significant phonetic similarity of the word “soup” across various languages worldwide, especially in the Romance-Germanic and some Slavic groups, as well as in Asian dialects. Particular attention is paid to the ancient Sanskrit word sūpa (सूप), literally meaning “soup,” whose etymology is transparent and linked to roots denoting water and liquid consumption. The arguments presented question the Eurocentric view on the word's origin and highlight the potential influence of Asian cultures on the formation of culinary and linguistic vocabulary.