pumpernickel

American  

[puhm-per-nik-uhl] / ˈpʌm pərˌnɪk əl /

noun

1. a coarse, dark, slightly sour bread made of unbolted rye.

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pumpernickel British  

/ ˈpʌmpəˌnɪkəl /

noun

1. a slightly sour black bread, originating in Germany, made of coarse rye flour

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Etymology

Origin of pumpernickel

First recorded in 1750–60; from German Pumpernickel, originally a contemptuous name for anyone considered disagreeable, equivalent to pumper(n) “to break wind” + Nickel, diminutive or pet name of Nikolaus “Nicholas” ( cf. nickel); presumably applied to the bread from its effect on the digestive system

Compare meaning

How does pumpernickel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rye bread vs. pumpernickel

Explanation

The dark, somewhat heavy bread you can buy in a bakery or deli is called pumpernickel. If you're bored with the sesame bagel, try ordering a pumpernickel instead. Pumpernickel is a hearty, slightly sweet bread that's made with whole-grain rye flour and traditionally has a dark brown color. While American pumpernickel gets its color from molasses or coffee, traditional German pumpernickel is baked or steamed for a very long time at a low temperature to get its brown shade and sweet flavor. In German, pumpernickel was originally a derogatory name for a simpleton — and the bread itself was once called krankbrot, or "sick bread." Historians think that's because a dark bread was supposedly developed to feed people who were sick during a famine in the 1400s.

Example Sentences

However, there are no rules: If you want, you can use sourdough, pumpernickel, whole grain, etc.

From Washington Times • Jul. 20, 2023

Toss in some chopped apples and golden raisins, sandwich in between rye or pumpernickel bread with a copious amount of crisp lettuce and you'll be stunned by its outrageous flavor.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2022

You can also go bolder with rye or pumpernickel, though darker breads will require a little more attentiveness since it can be harder to gauge doneness based on color alone.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2022

It’s a turkey Reuben on a pumpernickel everything bagel.

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2021

The oldest girls serve pumpernickel and goose liver on the house’s last unchipped plates while the portly vice minister and his severe-looking wife inspect the parlor like lords come to tour some distasteful gnomish cottage.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr