Definition of shisha

The traditional water pipe, popularly known as shisha, has gained significant popularity worldwide. But, the origin of the word "shisha" itself is less known. Shisha, also known as hookah, is derived from the Arabic word 'al-qīḥa,' which means a vessel used for smoking. Although the pipemaking art originated in India in the 16th century, this term only became commonly used in Arabic-speaking regions. In Middle Eastern cultures, especially in nations like Egypt, Turkey, and Iran, shisha is considered traditional and social, often enjoyed in cafes, restaurants, or even homes. The term "shish" in these countries refers to the water in which the tobacco is burned as the smoke is then inhaled. In the 1900s, with the migration of Middle Eastern communities to Europe and the Americas, shisha gained popularity in those regions, too. However, owing to the lack of an equivalent word in those languages, it became known as a range of different titles: Narghile (Turkish), Gowgan (Persian), Arghile (Arabic), and Hookah (Indian) being some prominent examples. In English, outside of the Middle Eastern community, shisha refers specifically to the old-school traditional pipe, whereas hookah might also depict a modernised version for tobacco and marijuana cigarettes. Overall, though, the term "shisha" has become a part of common parlance in many languages, describing the cultural tradition of smoking tobacco through a hookah in social sets.