Gouter

/ɡuːˈteɪ/ noun

Definition

An afternoon snack or light meal, especially in French cuisine; specifically a meal eaten in the late afternoon between lunch and dinner.

Etymology

From French 'goûter' (to taste, or a light afternoon meal), derived from Latin 'gustare' (to taste). Adopted into English from French culinary terminology in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

French culture was so particular about snacking that they gave it an official name and time slot—the gouter is France's middle-of-the-afternoon pause for tea and pastry, and it's such a treasured concept that English borrowed the word rather than translate it.

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