Etymology Map
Back to all words

Menemen

3 stages from Turkish to English.

Today it means a Turkish dish of eggs scrambled with tomatoes, peppers and onions

Where does the word "menemen" come from? It comes from Turkish Menemen, passing through Turkish before entering English (2000s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
Menemen
Turkish · medieval
"a town"
a town near İzmir, famous for its vegetables and pottery
2
Stage 2 of 3
menemen
Turkish · 1900s
"scrambled eggs with tomato"
the dish took the town's name; Turks argue over whether onions belong in it
3
Stage 3 of 3
menemen
English · 2000s
"Turkish scrambled eggs"
entered English through Turkish breakfast cafés
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Menemen’s story begins in Turkish: Menemen meant “a town.” A town near İzmir, famous for its vegetables and pottery. Within Turkish, it grew into menemen by 1900s. The dish took the town's name; Turks argue over whether onions belong in it. It reached English by 2000s as menemen. Entered English through Turkish breakfast cafés. Today, menemen means a Turkish dish of eggs scrambled with tomatoes, peppers and onions.