fondue

Where does the word "fondue" come from? It comes from French fondre, passing through Swiss French before entering English (1878).

Fondue’s story begins in French: fondre meant “to melt.” The root of 'fondant' and 'foundry'. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Swiss French as fondue. Settled in Swiss French for a dish of melted cheese shared communally. It reached English by 1878 as fondue. The Swiss Cheese Union promoted cheese fondue as a national dish in the 1930s. Today, fondue means a dish of melted cheese or chocolate, into which food is dipped.

1. Stage 1 · French · medieval fondre "to melt", the root of 'fondant' and 'foundry'.
2. Stage 2 · Swiss French · 1700s fondue "a dish of melted cheese", settled in Swiss French for a dish of melted cheese shared communally.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1878 fondue "a dish of melted cheese or chocolate for dipping food", the Swiss Cheese Union promoted cheese fondue as a national dish in the 1930s.