shishito

Where does the word "shishito" come from? It comes from Japanese shishitō, and was adopted directly into English (2010s).

Shishito’s story begins in Japanese: shishitō meant “a small, mild green pepper.” Literally 'lion pepper', named for the wrinkled tip said to resemble a lion's mouth. It reached English by 2010s as shishito. Japanese 'lion pepper', from the shape of its tip; about one in ten is hot. Today, shishito means a small, mild Japanese green pepper, commonly blistered and served as a snack.

1. Stage 1 · Japanese · Edo era shishitō "a small, mild green pepper", literally 'lion pepper', named for the wrinkled tip said to resemble a lion's mouth.
2. Stage 2 · English · 2010s shishito "a small, mild Japanese green pepper, typically blistered and served as a snack", Japanese 'lion pepper', from the shape of its tip; about one in ten is hot.