mozzarella

Where does the word "mozzarella" come from? It comes from Italian mozzarella, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Mozzarella’s story begins in Italian: mozzarella meant “a cut-off piece of cheese.” From mozzare (to cut off), describing how the fresh cheese is pinched off by hand. It reached English by 1800s as mozzarella. Italian 'little cut', from 'mozzare', to cut off; buffalo mozzarella comes from Campania. Today, mozzarella means a soft, mild white Italian cheese, traditionally made from buffalo or cow's milk.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · medieval mozzarella "a cut-off piece of cheese", from mozzare (to cut off), describing how the fresh cheese is pinched off by hand.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s mozzarella "a soft, mild white cheese", Italian 'little cut', from 'mozzare', to cut off; buffalo mozzarella comes from Campania.