vindaloo

Where does the word "vindaloo" come from? It comes from Portuguese vinha d'alhos, passing through Goan Indian before entering English (1900s).

Vindaloo’s story begins in Portuguese: vinha d'alhos meant “wine and garlic.” Literally wine and garlic, a Portuguese marinade of wine vinegar and garlic. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Goan Indian as vindaloo. Adapted in Goa with local chilies and spices, replacing wine vinegar with local ingredients. It reached English by 1900s as vindaloo. From Portuguese 'vinha d'alhos', wine and garlic marinade; Goan cooks added chillies. Today, vindaloo means a fiery, tangy Indian curry, originally adapted from a Portuguese wine and garlic marinade.

1. Stage 1 · Portuguese · 1500s vinha d'alhos "wine and garlic", literally wine and garlic, a Portuguese marinade of wine vinegar and garlic.
2. Stage 2 · Goan Indian · 1600s vindaloo "a spicy, tangy meat dish", adapted in Goa with local chilies and spices, replacing wine vinegar with local ingredients.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s vindaloo "a fiery, tangy Indian curry", from Portuguese 'vinha d'alhos', wine and garlic marinade; Goan cooks added chillies.