For today’s Weird Word Wednesday, let’s look at three foodie words which have German origins: Lebkuchen, zwieback and schnitzel. Yummy. I’m already hungry!
The German language has had a big impact on English. I live in San Antonio and I’m just a hop, skip and jump away from New Braunfels, Boerne, Luckenbach and Fredericksburg in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. These towns started out as German settlements in the mid-1800s.
I also have German ancestry and can trace my roots back to my great-great-great-great-great grandmother Julianna Specht. As a teen migrating with her family, she traveled to Galveston, Texas from Bremen, Germany on board the sailing ship “Clementine”. Somehow, she fell off the ship and had to be rescued by sailors! (Why does that sound like something that would happen to me?)
Anyway, here’s what www.merriam-webster says about these foodie German words that have migrated their way into English. (I’ve tasted all three, and I can personally vouch for their yumminess. (Is that a word?)
Pronunciation: [ ˈlāpˌküḵən ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: A Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.
“Lebkuchen.” Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/lebkuchen. Accessed 25 Jan. 2022.
Pronunciation: [ ˈswēˌbak or ˈ zwe back ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: A usually sweetened bread enriched with eggs that is first prepared and baked and then sliced and toasted until dry and crisp.
“Zwieback.” Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/zwieback. Accessed 25 Jan. 2022.
Pronunciation: [ ˈshnitsəl ]
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: A veal cutlet variously seasoned and garnished.
“Schnitzel.” Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/schnitzel. Accessed 25 Jan. 2022.Guten appetit!