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Where does the word "baba ghanoush" come from? It comes from Arabic baba ghannuj, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
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Where does the word "baba ghanoush" come from? It comes from Arabic baba ghannuj, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).
Baba ghanoush’s story begins in Arabic: baba ghannuj meant “possibly pampered father.” Possibly literally pampered father, describing a smoky roasted eggplant dip. It reached English by 1900s as baba ghanoush. Often explained as 'pampered daddy', a Levantine dish of roasted aubergine and tahini. Today, baba ghanoush means a Middle Eastern dip made from smoky roasted eggplant, tahini, and garlic.
- Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval baba ghannuj "possibly pampered father", possibly literally pampered father, describing a smoky roasted eggplant dip.
- Stage 2 · English · 1900s baba ghanoush "a smoky roasted eggplant dip", often explained as 'pampered daddy', a Levantine dish of roasted aubergine and tahini.