jalapeno

Where does the word "jalapeno" come from? It comes from Nahuatl Xalapan, passing through Mexican Spanish before entering English (1940s).

Jalapeno’s story begins in Nahuatl: Xalapan meant “sand by the water.” 'sand by the water', the name of the town now called Xalapa. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Mexican Spanish as jalapeño. 'from Xalapa', the capital of Veracruz, where the pepper was grown and sold. It reached English by 1940s as jalapeño. Spread with Tex-Mex food. Today, jalapeno means a hot green chilli pepper.

1. Stage 1 · Nahuatl · pre-1500s Xalapan "sand by the water", 'sand by the water', the name of the town now called Xalapa.
2. Stage 2 · Mexican Spanish · 1800s jalapeño "from Xalapa", 'from Xalapa', the capital of Veracruz, where the pepper was grown and sold.
3. Stage 3 · American English · 1940s jalapeño "hot green chilli", spread with Tex-Mex food.