The world of food has seen a lot of interesting things happen in 2022. We have seen everything, from native grains making their way back into our kitchens to getting used to new food norms after a pandemic. Then, strange food combinations, viral food recipes, and other things took over the internet. But the food words that were added to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary this year made us the happiest. Every year, Merriam-Webster usually adds a few new words to its dictionary. In 2022, they added 370 new words to the language. At least nine of those words had to do with food.
Here is an alphabetical list of nine food words:
- Banh mi
- Birria
- Mojo
- Oat milk
- Omakase
- Plant-based
- Pumpkin spice
- Ras el hanout
- Sessionable
The terms that made headlines or went viral on social media are the ones that made it to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. Webster’s publication explains that these novel words are reflections of our cultural preoccupations. Merriam-Webster has made the claim that words provide insight into the development of language and culture. Only “when there is clear and sustained evidence of use” do these words make it into the dictionary. You can visit the website here: https://www.merriam-webster.com/
Let’s find out what the nine new words in the Merriam-Webster dictionary mean.
- Banh Mi (Noun): In Vietnamese food, a banh mi is a sandwich made from a split baguette that is usually filled with meat (like pork or chicken) and pickled vegetables (like carrots and daikon) and topped with cilantro and often cucumbers.
- Birria (Noun): A dish from Mexico made with stewed meat and chili peppers.
- Mojo (Noun): A sauce, marinade, or seasoning that usually has olive oil, garlic, citrus juice, and spices as its main ingredients (such as black pepper and cumin).
- Oat Milk: Oat milk is a liquid made from ground oats and water. It is usually fortified with calcium and vitamins and used as a milk substitute.
- Omakase (Noun): Omakase is a set price for a number of small servings or courses, such as sushi, where the chef chooses what to serve.
- Based on plants (adjective): Made or derived from plants Mostly or entirely made up of food that comes from plants, like vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils, and beans.
- Spiced with pumpkin: Usually a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. Often used in pumpkin pie.
- Ras el hanout : Ras el hanout is a mix of ground spices used in northern African cooking. It includes coriander, ginger, turmeric, peppercorns, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and other spices.
- Sessionable: Having a light body and less than the average alcohol content
Make sure to include these terms in your vocabulary and become a wordsmith soon. Remember, practice is the key, and don’t forget to brag these new words in front of your friends.