thali

Where does the word "thali" come from? It comes from Sanskrit sthali, passing through Hindi before entering English (1969).

Thali’s story begins in Sanskrit: sthali meant “a dish, vessel.” Meant 'earthen dish, vessel', from a word for 'ground, place'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Hindi as thali. Became the name of a round metal serving plate. It reached English by 1969 as thali. Adopted in English food writing for a full platter meal served on such a plate. Today, thali means a South Asian meal consisting of small portions of several dishes served together on a round platter.

1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient sthali "a dish, vessel", meant 'earthen dish, vessel', from a word for 'ground, place'.
2. Stage 2 · Hindi · medieval thali "a round metal plate for serving food", became the name of a round metal serving plate.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1969 thali "a meal served as small portions on a round platter", adopted in English food writing for a full platter meal served on such a plate.