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Where does the word "tapioca" come from? It comes from Tupi-Guarani typyoca, passing through Portuguese before entering English (1700s).
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Where does the word "tapioca" come from? It comes from Tupi-Guarani typyoca, passing through Portuguese before entering English (1700s).
Tapioca’s story begins in Tupi-Guarani: typyoca meant “starch sediment from cassava.” Referring to the starchy sediment squeezed from cassava root. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Portuguese as tapioca. From Tupi 'tipi'óka', starch squeezed out. It reached English by 1700s as tapioca. Today, tapioca means a starchy substance made from cassava root, used in puddings and drinks.
- Stage 1 · Tupi-Guarani · pre-1500s typyoca "starch sediment from cassava", referring to the starchy sediment squeezed from cassava root.
- Stage 2 · Portuguese · 1600s tapioca "cassava starch", from Tupi 'tipi'óka', starch squeezed out.
- Stage 3 · English · 1700s tapioca "a starch extracted from cassava root", .