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Where does the word "meringue" come from? It comes from French meringue, and was adopted directly into English (1706).
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Where does the word "meringue" come from? It comes from French meringue, and was adopted directly into English (1706).
Meringue’s story begins in French: meringue meant “a baked whipped egg-white and sugar confection.” A coinage of otherwise unknown origin for a whipped egg-white confection. It reached English by 1706 as meringue. Borrowed whole for the same light, crisp confection. Today, meringue means a light, crisp confection made of whipped egg whites and sugar.
- Stage 1 · French · 1700s meringue "a baked whipped egg-white and sugar confection", a coinage of otherwise unknown origin for a whipped egg-white confection.
- Stage 2 · English · 1706 meringue "a light, crisp egg-white and sugar confection", borrowed whole for the same light, crisp confection.