delicatessen

Where does the word "delicatessen" come from? It comes from Latin delicatus, passing through French and German before entering English (1800s).

Delicatessen’s story begins in Latin: delicatus meant “delicate, pleasing.” Meaning "delicate" or "pleasing". By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as délicatesse. Came to mean a delicacy or fine food. From there it passed into German as Delikatessen by 1800s. From French 'délicatesse', delicacy. It reached English by 1800s as delicatessen. German and Jewish immigrants opened delis in New York; Katz's dates from 1888. Today, delicatessen means a shop selling prepared foods, cold cuts, and delicacies.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient delicatus "delicate, pleasing", meaning "delicate" or "pleasing".
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s délicatesse "a fine delicacy", came to mean a delicacy or fine food.
3. Stage 3 · German · 1800s Delikatessen "fine prepared foods; a shop selling them", from French 'délicatesse', delicacy.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1800s delicatessen "a shop selling prepared foods and delicacies", German and Jewish immigrants opened delis in New York; Katz's dates from 1888.