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Where does the word "dumpling" come from? It comes from Low German dump, and was adopted directly into English (1600).
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Where does the word "dumpling" come from? It comes from Low German dump, and was adopted directly into English (1600).
Dumpling’s story begins in Low German: dump meant “damp, heavy.” Damp, heavy; a possible source, though the origin is uncertain. It reached English by 1600 as dumpling. First recorded in Norfolk, still famous for its dumplings. Today, dumpling means a small ball of dough, boiled, steamed or fried.
- Stage 1 · Low German · medieval dump "damp, heavy", damp, heavy; a possible source, though the origin is uncertain.
- Stage 2 · English · 1600 dumpling "dough ball", first recorded in Norfolk, still famous for its dumplings.