atole

Where does the word "atole" come from? It comes from Nahuatl atolli, passing through Spanish before entering English (1710s-1720s).

Atole’s story begins in Nahuatl: atolli meant “a thick, warm corn drink.” Combined 'atl' (water) and 'olli' (viscous), describing a thick corn-based drink. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as atole. The Aztecs drank it at festivals; in Mexico it is still served on the Day of the Dead. It reached English by 1710s-1720s as atole. Appeared as early as 1640 in James Wadsworth's English translation of a Spanish treatise on chocolate. Today, atole means a traditional Mexican hot beverage made from corn flour, often flavored with cinnamon, chocolate, or fruit.

1. Stage 1 · Nahuatl · pre-1500s atolli "a thick, warm corn drink", combined 'atl' (water) and 'olli' (viscous), describing a thick corn-based drink.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1600s atole "a warm, thickened corn-based drink", the Aztecs drank it at festivals; in Mexico it is still served on the Day of the Dead.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1710s-1720s atole "a traditional Mexican hot corn-based beverage", appeared as early as 1640 in James Wadsworth's English translation of a Spanish treatise on chocolate.