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Elote

3 stages from Nahuatl to English.

Today it means grilled Mexican street corn, typically topped with mayonnaise, cheese, lime, and chili powder

Where does the word "elote" come from? It comes from Nahuatl elotl, passing through Spanish before entering English (2000s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
elotl
Nahuatl · pre-1500s
"fresh corn on the cob"
named a tender, fresh ear of corn
2
Stage 2 of 3
elote
Spanish · 1600s
"corn on the cob"
adopted into Mexican Spanish for corn on the cob
3
Stage 3 of 3
elote
English · 2000s
"grilled corn on the cob, often served with cheese, lime, and chili"
borrowed into English food culture as Mexican street corn grew popular
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