hush puppy

American  

noun

Chiefly Southern U.S.

1. a small, unsweetened cake or ball of cornmeal dough fried in deep fat.

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Etymology

Origin of hush puppy

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; allegedly so called because such cakes were fed to dogs to keep them from begging for scraps while other dishes were cooked

Example Sentences

But the true mark of a great hush puppy is its texture — a crisp exterior that yields to a soft, fluffy center — and this recipe produces exactly that.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2022

Get the terrific pork, flavorful hash and crunchy hush puppy balls. 803-652-2919; no website.

From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2016

“Never thought a granddaughter of mine wouldn’t know what a hush puppy is!”

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

The boys swiped one more hush puppy each and trotted back toward their houses.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper