tequila

Where does the word "tequila" come from? It comes from Nahuatl tequitl, passing through Spanish before entering English (1849).

Tequila’s story begins in Nahuatl: tequitl meant “possibly relating to work.” Possibly related to work or labor, the root of the town's name in Jalisco, Mexico. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as tequila. Named for the town where the agave-based spirit was first distilled. It reached English by 1849 as tequila. Named after the town of Tequila in Jalisco; Cuervo began commercial production in 1795. Today, tequila means a Mexican spirit distilled from the blue agave plant.

1. Stage 1 · Nahuatl · medieval tequitl "possibly relating to work", possibly related to work or labor, the root of the town's name in Jalisco, Mexico.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1800s tequila "a spirit distilled from agave, named for the town", named for the town where the agave-based spirit was first distilled.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1849 tequila "a Mexican spirit distilled from the blue agave plant", named after the town of Tequila in Jalisco; Cuervo began commercial production in 1795.