elote

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

Elote’s story begins in Nahuatl: elotl meant “fresh corn on the cob.” Named a tender, fresh ear of corn. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as elote. Mexican street vendors serve it with mayonnaise, cheese and chilli. It reached English by 2000s as elote. Borrowed into English food culture as Mexican street corn grew popular. Today, elote means grilled Mexican street corn, typically topped with mayonnaise, cheese, lime, and chili powder.

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