Word of the Day
succotash
noun
a cooked dish of kernels of corn mixed with shell beans, especially lima beans, and, often, with green and sweet red peppers.
More about succotash
Succotash, “a cooked dish of corn and beans,” is adapted from msíckquatash, “boiled whole kernels of corn,” in Narragansett, which is an Algonquian language with roots in what is now Rhode Island. Narragansett and its close Algonquian relatives, including Massachusett and Maliseet, are the sources of many loanwords in American and Canadian English, such as mugwump, toboggan, and the Word of the Day wampum. Succotash was first recorded in English circa 1750.
EXAMPLE OF SUCCOTASH USED IN A SENTENCE
They loved going over to their grandmother’s for dinner because she always served some variation of succotash.
génoise
noun
a light yellow cake made with eggs and butter and typically layered, filled, and frosted or made into petits fours for serving.
More about génoise
Génoise, “a light yellow cake,” is the feminine form of French génois, “of Genoa.” Genoa, known as Gênes in French, Genova in Italian, and Zêna in the local Ligurian language, is a major city in northwestern Italy. The city’s name has multiple possible origins. The Latin name, oppidum Genua, may reflect a connection to genū, “knee,” or gena, “cheek,” perhaps because of its location in a corner of the Gulf of Genoa or near the mouth of an ancient waterway. However, in the Middle Ages, Genoa’s Latin name was changed to Janua, and this alternative may stem from Janus, the two-faced Roman god of beginnings and doorways, or the noun jānua, “door” (compare janitor and January). Génoise was first recorded in English in the early 1930s.
EXAMPLE OF GÉNOISE USED IN A SENTENCE
The pastry chef made the most exquisite génoise that we almost didn’t want to eat it!
More about cucurbit
Cucurbit, “any plant of the gourd family,” ultimately comes from Latin cucurbita, “gourd, cupping glass.” Despite the similar spelling, it remains uncertain whether cucurbita is related to cucumis, “cucumber.” What is certain is that cucurbita, following several irregular sound changes, is the source of both courgette, a British alternative name for zucchini, and gourd, a term for fruits such as pumpkins and squash. Cucurbit was first recorded in English in the late 14th century.
EXAMPLE OF CUCURBIT USED IN A SENTENCE
To welcome guests in the fall season, the inn had arranged cucurbits of all shapes, sizes, and colors along their walkways.