Regarding Frank Herbert's 'Dune'

The film's main character, Paul Atreides, is a messianic figure who goes by many mystical names, including one that undoubtedly confused many moviegoers: "Kwisatz Haderach."

The reason this term sounds like nonsense in English is that it's not English.

It's Herbert's rough transliteration of the traditional Jewish term kefitzat haderech (קפיצת הדרך), which means the "shortening of the way" or "leaping of the path."

The messiah, in other words, is the one who propels humanity forward to its ultimate destination.