pumpernickel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A German sourdough bread made from rye.

Pronunciation

/ˈpʌmpɚˌnɪkl̩/

Word forms

pumpernickel pumpernickels

Etymology

From Westphalian German Pumpernickel, from Pumper (“fart”) (or a related form, such as pumpern) and Nickel (“rascal”) (from the male name Nikolaus (“Nicholas”)), possibly originating as an insult for a person or for the bread itself by outsiders. A false folk etymology claims that this comes from the phrase pain pour Nicole ("bread for Nicole"), referring to Napoleon disliking the taste so much that he thought it was fit for his horse Nicole.

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