Russian Language Exported: LAIKA
This word, meaning “the one that barks”, has accompanied humans from hunting to outer space and has become a full-fledged resident of other languages, as well.
‘Laika’ (English, German, French: ‘laika’) refers to a whole group of northern dog breeds, both hunting and sledding. The word derives from the Old Russian verb “to bark” (layat’).
The word ‘laika’ is familiar not only to canine experts: it’s also the name of the first dog in space, who went into orbit in 1957.