'brainwash' originates from the Chinese term '洗脑' (xǐnǎo), where '洗' meant 'wash' and '脑' meant 'brain'.

'洗脑' was translated into English as 'brainwash' during the Korean War, and eventually became the modern English word 'brainwash'.

Initially, it meant 'to cleanse the mind', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to manipulate or coerce someone into adopting radically different beliefs'.