idli

Where does the word "idli" come from? It comes from Kannada iddalige, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Idli’s story begins in Kannada: iddalige meant “a steamed rice cake.” A savory steamed cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter. It reached English by 1900s as idli. A Kannada text of 920 mentions 'iddalige'; steamed idlis became a South Indian breakfast staple. Today, idli means a savory steamed cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter, popular in South India.

1. Stage 1 · Kannada · medieval iddalige "a steamed rice cake", a savory steamed cake made from fermented rice and lentil batter.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s idli "a steamed South Indian rice and lentil cake", a Kannada text of 920 mentions 'iddalige'; steamed idlis became a South Indian breakfast staple.