pickle

Word Origin & History

c.1400, probably from Middle Dutch pekel "pickle, brine," or related words in Low German and East Frisian (cf. Dutch pekel, East Frisian päkel, German pökel), of uncertain origin or original meaning. Klein suggests the name of a medieval Dutch fisherman who developed the process. Originally a sauce served with meat or fowl; meaning "cucumber preserved in pickle" first recorded 1707, via use of the word for the salty liquid in which meat, etc. was preserved (c.1500). Figurative sense of "sorry plight" first recorded 1560s, from the time when the word still meant a sauce served on meat about to be eaten. Meaning "troublesome boy" is from 1788, perhaps from the notion of being "imbued" with roguery.

Example Sentences forpickle

Then make the pickle, which must be in proportion to the quantity of fish.

The last of October is a good time for putting meat into pickle.

Boil them all together, so as to make a pickle that will bear up an egg.

East India pickle is very convenient, and will keep two years.

The pickle also must be seasoned with the spices above-mentioned.

Pickle, from her desk, watched the new teacher's every movement.

Put them into a jar one by one, that none of the grit may stick to them; and when cold, cover them with the pickle thus made.

When it has lain in pickle a few days, it would be advantageous to boil and skim the brine, and pour it on again when cold.

Ogden could rent it out but he couldn't sell it; that was the pickle he was in.

Jenny did not know who the woman was—that was as plain as a pickle.

pickle

deadlock

deep water

difficulties

difficulty

dilemma

dilemmas

distress

distresses

pickle

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