A reader: “The word ‘algebra’ comes from Arabic. Does this mean the Arabs

invented algebra?”

No, Sir. This guy invented algebra.

(I know, I know, you can make a case for whoever it was wrote the Rhind

Papyrus. The essence of algebra, though, is notation, and the concept of

the “unknown quantity.” The Egyptians didn’t get that far.)

The fact that the word for a thing is taken from language X does not mean

that speakers of X invented the thing. The word “coach” comes from

Hungarian; but it is by no means clear that Hungarians invented the coach.

(See the OED for details.) They sure didn’t invent the football coach.