It is said that food is a language in itself. The connections between food and language go deep; it is a fascinating world to explore. While we may come up with new ‘foodie’ words ourselves, official recognition by a dictionary grants food and related experiences an elevated status. Language, like food, is ever-evolving. When it comes to the language applied to food – to describe and denote it – there are a few new developments you should be aware of. Some time ago, the Merriam-Webster dictionary announced that it had added 690 new words to its collection, including several food-related ones. We have picked 10 that you must know about:
Also Read: Food Vocabulary 101: 7 Culinary Terms Every Foodie Should Know
Here Are The Top 10 Foodie Words That Were Added To The Merriam-Webster Dictionary In 2023:
1. Chef’s Kiss
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After an amazing meal, we often denote the feelings we can’t quite put into words with a “chef’s kiss”. This phrase has now officially entered the dictionary as a noun and is defined as “a gesture of satisfaction or approval made by kissing the fingertips of one hand and then spreading the fingers with an outward motion – often used interjectionally”.
2. Bussin’
Most of us often associate the gesture of a chef’s kiss with the Italians. But if you want to describe your experience with a term from another part of the world, go for “bussin’.” This African-American English slang term is used for anything that is “extremely good: excellent; especially: delicious, tasty”.
3. Cheffy
We all know that one slightly eccentric person who might not be a chef but reminds us of one. Well, the Merriam-Webster dictionary now provides you with an actual word you can use to describe them: cheffy. Specifically, this adjective refers to anything that is “characteristic of or befitting a professional chef (as in showiness, complexity, or exoticness).”
4. Zhuzh
Looking to enhance your descriptions further? Then you need to know about “zhuzh”. This noun is described by Merriam-Webster as “a small improvement, adjustment, or addition that completes the overall look, taste, etc. of something; verb: to improve in flavour or appearance by way of a small improvement, adjustment, or addition – often used with up”.
5. Smashburger
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Now we come to the part of the list that may make your mouth water. There have been a number of new dishes recognised by the dictionary and one of them is smashburger. This word can technically refer to one of three food items: “a hamburger patty that is pressed thin onto a heated pan or griddle at the start of cooking,” “a patty (as of beans or ground turkey) prepared similarly” or “a sandwich featuring one or more such patties.”
6. Jollof rice
Another lip-smacking addition is jollof rice. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a West African dish of rice cooked in a sauce of tomatoes and onions seasoned usually with garlic, thyme, hot pepper, and other spices and often accompanied by meat, fish, or vegetables”. But lovers of this dish might feel like you need more new words to be invented or added to capture its yumminess accurately!
7. Emping
This is a unique delicacy that you might not have heard of earlier. It refers to “a slightly bitter cracker or chip popular in Indonesia that is made from the dried flattened seed of a melinjo tree”. A new word to learn and perhaps a new snack to try one day!
8. Guanciale
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Another special delicacy to discover is the Italian guanciale. This is “a cured Italian meat product typically made with pork jowls and spices (such as bay leaf, juniper, and black pepper),” according to the dictionary.
9. Stage
Now we come to two words borrowed from French, where they both have the same spelling. Stage means “a usually unpaid internship in a professional kitchen that is part of a chef’s training”.
10. Stagiaire
Any person who holds a stage is called a “stagiaire”. (Interestingly, in French, a stage could refer to any type of internship or similar training programme – the words are not restricted to the hospitality domain).
To know more about the other additions in 2023, food-related or otherwise, click here.
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