sauerkraut

Where does the word "sauerkraut" come from? It comes from German sauer, passing through German before entering English (1600s-1700s).

Sauerkraut’s story begins in German: sauer meant “sour.” Within German, it grew into Sauerkraut by medieval. Combining "sauer" with "Kraut" (cabbage), fermented cabbage. It reached English by 1600s-1700s as sauerkraut. German 'sour cabbage'; Captain Cook fed it to his crews against scurvy. Today, sauerkraut means finely shredded cabbage fermented in brine.

1. Stage 1 · German · medieval sauer "sour", meaning "sour".
2. Stage 2 · German · medieval Sauerkraut "fermented sour cabbage", combining "sauer" with "Kraut" (cabbage), fermented cabbage.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s-1700s sauerkraut "finely cut, fermented cabbage", German 'sour cabbage'; Captain Cook fed it to his crews against scurvy.