Caporal

/ˌkæpəˈrɑːl/ noun

Definition

A corporal, or a type of strong tobacco used in snuff or pipe tobacco.

Etymology

From French caporal, from Italian caporale, from capo meaning 'head.' The tobacco meaning developed in the 19th century, possibly named after a brand.

Kelly Says

The word 'caporal' for tobacco is a mystery that linguists love—we know it came from French, but why they called tobacco after a military rank is still debated!

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