chess pie

Meanings

1. A pie made with eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, and cornmeal.

Etymology

Uncertain; most likely from cheese pie; early versions were similar in texture to British lemon curd pies or cheesecakes, and earlier "cheesecakes" often lacked cheese, instead resembling modern chess pies or chess cakes. Other theories include: * from a Southern pronunciation of (it's) jes' pie, as it contrasts with flavored pies like pecan, cherry, chocolate, etc. * from chest pie, as the high sugar content means it can be stored in a "pie chest" (pie safe) rather than needing refrigeration. * from some association with the game of chess. * from Chester, England.