latke

[laht-kuh]

noun

Jewish Cooking.

1. a pancake, especially one made of grated potato.

Word History and Origins

Origin of latke¹

1925–30; < Yiddish < East Slavic; compare Byelorussian ( g ) latka, dial. form of aladka kind of pancake, Old Russian oladǐya ( Russian oládʾya ), probably < Greek elá ( i ) dion, derivative of élaion oil

Example Sentences

I once threw an impromptu bash on the 4th night of Chanukah, sharing latkes and dreidels with out-of-town students and other “holiday orphans.”

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Russ & Daughters previously shipped its famous latkes only during Hanukkah, but now, Russ Federman said, with increased demand and expanded production space, it makes sense to ship them year-round.

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Not a trendy new fry or artisanal latke, but the humble McDonald’s hash brown— once a symbol of cheap, easy breakfast.

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Think of classic pairings: sautéed apples with pork chops, applesauce with latkes, or the tangy sweetness of prunes in dishes like Chicken Marbella.

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The end of the year marks the return of eggnog and latkes, gifting and regifting — and holiday-themed shows to bask in tradition, communal spirit and, yes, fun.

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