Definition of shampoo

The word "shampoo" originated from the Hindi language, and it was adopted by the English language in the late 18th century. In Hindi, the word for shampoo is "चामपू," which is a combination of two words: "चाम" (massage) and "पू" (foam). During the British Raj in India, there was a significant rise in Western influence, popularizing Indian herbal hair treatments among the British community. Ayurvedic techniques for hair and scalp care, like oil massages and herbal powder rubs, became popular, and the British began calling these treatments "Chāmpoo." The term "Chāmpoo" was first used in English in a medical dictionary in 1841, where it was described as an Indian method of cleansing the hair. As English speakers began to adopt the practice, the spelling of the word started changing to resemble the pronunciation. In 1860, the British Parliament introduced a bill known as the "Cosmetics Act," which helped regulate the production and marketing of cosmetics. The shampoo became a regulated product, and its popularity further increased in the Western world. Nowadays, the word "shampoo" is commonly used in households worldwide, and various variations of this hair cleaning product have emerged in the sanitation industry. The fundamental principle, however, remains the same, which is to preserve cleanliness and maintain healthy hair.