falafel

Where does the word "falafel" come from? It comes from Arabic falafil, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Falafel’s story begins in Arabic: falafil meant “fried chickpea patties.” Fried patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans. It reached English by 1900s as falafel. Often linked to Egyptian 'ta'amiya', made from fava beans, eaten by Coptic Christians during Lent. Today, falafel means a fried patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.

1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval falafil "fried chickpea patties", fried patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s falafel "a fried patty of ground chickpeas or beans", often linked to Egyptian 'ta'amiya', made from fava beans, eaten by Coptic Christians during Lent.