Etymology Map
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Lagniappe

4 stages from Quechua to English.

Today it means a small, unexpected extra gift or benefit given along with a purchase, especially in the American South

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

1
Stage 1 of 4
yapa
Quechua · pre-1500s
"an addition, something extra"
meant 'something added', a small extra amount given to a customer
2
Stage 2 of 4
la ñapa
Spanish · 1600s
"a small gift or bonus given with a purchase"
adopted into colonial Spanish as a small bonus given to valued customers
3
Stage 3 of 4
lagniappe
Louisiana French · 1840s
"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 of 4
lagniappe
English · 1840s-1850s
"a small unexpected gift or extra benefit"
adopted into English via Louisiana, popularized nationally by Mark Twain
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