natto

Where does the word "natto" come from? It comes from Japanese nattō, and was adopted directly into English (late 1900s).

Natto’s story begins in Japanese: nattō meant “fermented, sticky soybeans.” Named fermented soybeans, a staple breakfast food. It reached English by late 1900s as natto. Borrowed as Japanese cuisine and its health claims spread abroad. Today, natto means a traditional Japanese dish of fermented soybeans with a sticky texture and strong smell.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · medieval nattō "fermented, sticky soybeans", named fermented soybeans, a staple breakfast food.
2. Stage 2 · English · late 1900s natto "fermented soybeans eaten as a pungent, sticky dish", borrowed as Japanese cuisine and its health claims spread abroad.