hush puppy

noun

chiefly Southern US and south Midland US
: cornmeal dough shaped into small balls and fried in deep fat
usually used in plural

Examples of hush puppy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adding sweet summer corn to this batter transforms the usual hush puppies, giving them a light and tender texture. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 June 2025 Red Lobster is making changes to its menu lineup, including bringing back hush puppies and offering some items for under $20. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 20 May 2024 The top seller is the box for two with four North Atlantic cod fillets, fries, and two hush puppies. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 12 Feb. 2024 The chain responded to popular demand and brought back hush puppies in November, a move that Today’s Al Roker has firmly endorsed. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hush puppy

Word History

Etymology

from its occasional use as food for dogs

First Known Use

circa 1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hush puppy was circa 1918

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Cite this Entry

“Hush puppy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hush%20puppy. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

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