Chou

/ʃuː/ noun

Definition

French word for cabbage, also used as a term of endearment meaning 'darling' or 'sweetheart.' In pastry, refers to choux pastry used for éclairs and profiteroles.

Etymology

From Latin 'caulis' meaning stem or cabbage. The endearing usage comes from the French practice of using food terms affectionately, similar to English 'honey' or 'sweetie.'

Kelly Says

It's charming how French speakers call their loved ones 'little cabbage' - this reflects a cultural tendency to use food metaphors for affection. The same word also gave us choux pastry, named because the baked puffs resemble small cabbages.

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