salep

Where does the word "salep" come from? It comes from Arabic khusa ath-thalab, passing through Ottoman Turkish and French before entering English (mid-1700s).

Salep’s story begins in Arabic: khusa ath-thalab meant “orchid root tuber.” Literally "fox testicles," describing the shape of the orchid's root tubers. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Ottoman Turkish as salep. Shortened the Arabic phrase into a single trade name. From there it passed into French as salep by 1700s. Spread through European trade in exotic goods. It reached English by mid-1700s as salep. Adopted for the flour and hot drink made from dried orchid tubers. Today, salep means a flour made from dried orchid tubers, or a hot, thickened drink made from it.

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