Keystone State. Pennsylvania, geographically considered as seventh among the thirteen original states of the Union.
Khaki. Expresses the Hindoo for “colour of cow dung.” This term came into prominence during the South African War, when all British uniforms were made of materials of this hue, so as to make our troops less conspicuous to the enemy.
Khan[Khan]. Expresses the Persian, from a Tartar word, for a lord or prince.
Khedive. From the Persian khidiw, a king. In the Turkish khadiv the title expresses a ruler one grade removed from a Sultan.
Kicker. An Americanism for one who at a public meeting objects to a proposal.
Kick the Bucket. An expression derived from the primitive mode of a man hanging himself by standing on a bucket, and then kicking it aside. The “drop” in this case could not have been a long one.
Kidnap. Not only is this word accepted English in the absence of a more refined equivalent, but it is also made to do service in the case of an adult taken away against his will. Kid, of course, expresses a young goat, and is slang for a child. The second portion of the term is likewise slang, from nab, to steal.
Kidney Bean. The coarse bean shaped like a kidney.
Kiel. From the Danish keol, a ship.
Kilbride. The church of St Bride or Bridget.