lagniappe

Where does the word "lagniappe" come from? It comes from Quechua yapa, passing through Spanish and Louisiana French before entering English (1840s-1850s).

Lagniappe’s story begins in Quechua: yapa meant “an addition, something extra.” Meant 'something added', a small extra amount given to a customer. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as la ñapa. From Quechua 'yapa', addition. From there it passed into Louisiana French as lagniappe by 1840s. Absorbed into the French Creole culture of New Orleans, where Spanish colonial rule had left its mark. It reached English by 1840s-1850s as lagniappe. Mark Twain praised it in 'Life on the Mississippi' (1883). Today, lagniappe means a small, unexpected extra gift or benefit given along with a purchase, especially in the American South.

1. Stage 1 · Quechua · pre-1500s yapa "an addition, something extra", meant 'something added', a small extra amount given to a customer.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1600s la ñapa "a small gift or bonus given with a purchase", from Quechua 'yapa', addition.
3. Stage 3 · Louisiana French · 1840s lagniappe "a small gift given with a purchase", absorbed into the French Creole culture of New Orleans, where Spanish colonial rule had left its mark.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1840s-1850s lagniappe "a small unexpected gift or extra benefit", Mark Twain praised it in 'Life on the Mississippi' (1883).