soup

Where does the word "soup" come from? It comes from Late Latin suppa, passing through French before entering English (1650s).

Soup’s story begins in Late Latin: suppa meant “bread soaked in broth.” From a Germanic word for soaked bread, related to English 'sop' and 'sup'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as soupe. Shifted from the sodden bread to the broth poured over it. It reached English by 1650s as soup. Arrived with French cooking fashions after the Restoration of Charles II. Today, soup means a liquid dish made by boiling meat, fish or vegetables.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient suppa "bread soaked in broth", from a Germanic word for soaked bread, related to English 'sop' and 'sup'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s soupe "broth poured on bread", shifted from the sodden bread to the broth poured over it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1650s soup "a liquid dish", arrived with French cooking fashions after the Restoration of Charles II.