julienne

Where does the word "julienne" come from? It comes from Latin Iulianus, passing through French before entering English (1759-1889).

Julienne’s story begins in Latin: Iulianus meant “a Roman personal name.” A personal name derived from Iulius (Julius). By medieval, the word had taken hold in French as Julien. The French form of the name, borne by an otherwise unrecorded chef. By 1700s, French speakers had reshaped it into potage a la Julienne. Literally 'soup in Julien's manner', naming a clear soup of finely cut vegetables. It reached English by 1759-1889 as julienne. Entered for the soup, then narrowed to the technique of cutting vegetables into thin strips. Today, julienne means vegetables or other food cut into long, thin strips.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient Iulianus "a Roman personal name", a personal name derived from Iulius (Julius).
2. Stage 2 · French · medieval Julien "a French personal name", the French form of the name, borne by an otherwise unrecorded chef.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1700s potage a la Julienne "a vegetable soup named for a cook", literally 'soup in Julien's manner', naming a clear soup of finely cut vegetables.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1759-1889 julienne "vegetables cut into thin strips", entered for the soup, then narrowed to the technique of cutting vegetables into thin strips.