'pariah' originates from Tamil, specifically the word 'paṟaiyar,' where 'paṟai' meant 'drum.'

'paṟaiyar' referred to a group of people in Tamil Nadu who were drummers and considered outcasts, eventually becoming the modern English word 'pariah.'

Initially, it referred to a drummer in a specific caste, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'outcast.'