vinaigrette

Where does the word "vinaigrette" come from? It comes from Latin vinum + acer, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1690s-1877).

Vinaigrette’s story begins in Latin: vinum + acer meant “sour wine.” 'wine' and 'sharp, sour' combined to describe wine gone acidic. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Old French as vinaigre. Vin 'wine' plus aigre 'sour' fused into one word for the condiment. From there it passed into French as vinaigrette by 1300s. A diminutive of vinaigre coined for a small vinegar-based preparation. It reached English by 1690s-1877 as vinaigrette. Entered for a vinegar condiment, later narrowing to a specific oil-and-vinegar salad dressing. Today, vinaigrette means a salad dressing made from oil and vinegar.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vinum + acer "sour wine", 'wine' and 'sharp, sour' combined to describe wine gone acidic.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · 1200s vinaigre "vinegar", vin 'wine' plus aigre 'sour' fused into one word for the condiment.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1300s vinaigrette "a little vinegar sauce", a diminutive of vinaigre coined for a small vinegar-based preparation.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1690s-1877 vinaigrette "a vinegar-and-oil salad dressing", entered for a vinegar condiment, later narrowing to a specific oil-and-vinegar salad dressing.