biscotti

Where does the word "biscotti" come from? It comes from Latin bis coctus, passing through Italian before entering English (1900s).

Biscotti’s story begins in Latin: bis coctus meant “twice cooked.” Twice cooked, from bis (twice) and coquere (to cook). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as biscotto. Carried into Italian for the twice-baked, hardened cookie. It reached English by 1900s as biscotti. Tuscan 'cantucci' from Prato are the classic version, dipped in Vin Santo wine. Today, biscotti means a crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookie, often flavored with almonds.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient bis coctus "twice cooked", twice cooked, from bis (twice) and coquere (to cook).
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval biscotto "a twice-baked, hardened cookie", carried into Italian for the twice-baked, hardened cookie.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s biscotti "a crunchy, twice-baked Italian cookie", Tuscan 'cantucci' from Prato are the classic version, dipped in Vin Santo wine.