FOOD TRIVIA: Origin of Food Names

 

Food Name               Language of Origin             Meaning in Original  Language

 

tapioca                               Brazilian                            "to squeeze out the dregs"

 

vermicelli                           Italian                                         "little worms"

 

phyllo                                 Greek                                               leaf

 

porcini                                Italian                                        "little pigs"

 

avocado                              Aztec                                            testicle

                                         (abucatl)

 

lasagna                            ancient Greek                             "chamber pot"

                                             (lasanon)

                                       adapted by Romans                 "large cooking- pot"

                                            (lasanum)

 

succotash                        Narraganset Indian         "boiled whole kernels of corn"

                                          (msickquatash)