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za'atar

a Middle Eastern spice blend made from thyme, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds

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Where does the word "za'atar" come from? It comes from Arabic za'atar, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

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Where does the word "za'atar" come from? It comes from Arabic za'atar, and was adopted directly into English (1900s).

Za'atar’s story begins in Arabic: za'atar meant “wild thyme, or a spice blend.” The name for a wild thyme herb, and the spice blend made from it. It reached English by 1900s as za'atar. Arabic for wild thyme; Lebanese man'oushe flatbread is topped with za'atar and olive oil. Today, za'atar means a Middle Eastern spice blend made from thyme, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds.

  1. Stage 1 · Arabic · medieval za'atar "wild thyme, or a spice blend", the name for a wild thyme herb, and the spice blend made from it.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1900s za'atar "a Middle Eastern spice blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame", Arabic for wild thyme; Lebanese man'oushe flatbread is topped with za'atar and olive oil.

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