The word "tattoo" is a loan word Samoan tatau, meaning the strike or to mark twice (the latter referring to traditional methods of applying designs). The first syllable "ta", which means "hand" is repeated twice Onomatopées as a reference to the repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable "U" translates into "colour". instrument used to puncture the skin, in the Polynesian tattooing is called a hahau, the syllable "ha" A "meaning to strike or penetrate." The OED gives the etymology of tattooing as "In the 18th century tattaow, tattow. De Polynesian (Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, etc) tatau. Marquesans, tatu." The first known use closest to the word in English was recorded in the journal of Captain James Cook in 1769 during his trip to the Marquesas Islands. The text reads as follows: "... they print signs on the body of people and call it tattaw", referring to Polynesian customs. Sailors on the trip later introduced in both word and reintroduced the concept of tattooing to Europe.