Here's a breakdown of its linguistic journey:
* Turkish: "köşk" (pavilion, summerhouse)
* French: "kiosque" (adopted from Turkish)
* English: "kiosk" (adopted from French)
The word entered the English language in the 18th century, initially referring to small, often open-fronted structures used for selling goods or providing services. Today, it commonly refers to any small, freestanding structure or booth, especially those found in public spaces.