bissap

Where does the word "bissap" come from? It comes from Wolof bisaab, passing through French before entering English (2000s).

Bissap’s story begins in Wolof: bisaab meant “roselle hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa).” Named the roselle hibiscus plant used to make a tart red drink. By 1900s, the word had taken hold in French as bissap. Picked up in French colonial Senegal as the name for the hibiscus infusion. It reached English by 2000s as bissap. Spread into English food writing and menus via West African diaspora cuisine. Today, bissap means a tart, deep-red West African drink brewed from dried hibiscus (roselle) flowers.

1. Stage 1 · Wolof · traditional bisaab "roselle hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)", named the roselle hibiscus plant used to make a tart red drink.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1900s bissap "hibiscus tea or drink", picked up in French colonial Senegal as the name for the hibiscus infusion.
3. Stage 3 · English · 2000s bissap "a tart red hibiscus drink", spread into English food writing and menus via West African diaspora cuisine.