ladyfinger

American  

[ley-dee-fing-ger] / ˈleɪ diˌfɪŋ gər /

noun

1. a small, finger-shaped sponge cake.

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ladyfinger British  

/ ˈleɪdɪˌfɪŋɡə /

noun

1. a small finger-shaped sponge cake

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Etymology

Origin of ladyfinger

First recorded in 1660–70; lady + finger

Explanation

Don't be horrified if your friend offers you a ladyfinger with your tea — ladyfingers are long, soft cookies, so you don't need to be a cannibal to eat them. Ladyfingers get their name from their finger-like shape, and in Britain they're commonly referred to by the less graceful "sponge fingers." These cookies are soft little cakes made with eggs, flour, and sugar. Truth be told, ladyfingers aren't very exciting on their own, being so mildly flavored and lightly sweetened that they're commonly given to toddlers. Ladyfingers are best used in elaborate desserts like trifle and tiramisu, when they're soaked in syrups and topped with cream, fruit, or chocolate.

Example Sentences

Toothpicks hold all this between 3 slices of white bread with crusts The Farrah Fawcett-Majors Ladyfinger Sandwich Processed turkey, processed ham, processed cheese, iceberg lettuce, cole slaw and mayonnaise.

From Time Magazine Archive