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
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The restaurant also offers Southern favorites such as collard greens and hush puppies, according to an online menu. Simone Jasper july 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2025 Menu highlights include crab hush puppies, homemade pretzels and Dad's Key Lime Pie. Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 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 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 22 Jul. 2025.

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