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

See Examples For:

pumpernickel

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

From Washington Times ● Jul. 20, 2023

Then, it was my job to fetch her groceries at Costco: her shopping list included her prescription-pain meds, Pedialyte and pumpernickel bread.

From Salon ● Nov. 28, 2022

Bagel snobs will be pleased that this Montlake bakery does pumpernickel, which some readers have complained that local bagel shops don’t offer enough of.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 23, 2022

Gottlieb’s made deli rye, corn rye, onion rye, seedless rye, rye rolls and marbled rye with swirls of pumpernickel.

From New York Times ● Jan. 19, 2021

There was a cut-crystal pitcher full of water, a basket of fruit, and a big loaf of pumpernickel for them to eat.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead