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Stage 1 of 4
khusa ath-thalab
Arabic · medieval
"orchid root tuber"
literally "fox testicles," describing the shape of the orchid's root tubers
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Stage 2 of 4
salep
Ottoman Turkish · 1600s
"orchid-root powder"
shortened the Arabic phrase into a single trade name
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Stage 3 of 4
salep
French · 1700s
"orchid-root flour"
spread through European trade in exotic goods
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Stage 4 of 4
salep
English · mid-1700s
"orchid-root drink or flour"
adopted for the flour and hot drink made from dried orchid tubers
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