syllabub

noun

syl·​la·​bub ˈsi-lə-ˌbəb How to pronounce syllabub (audio)
variants or less commonly sillabub
: milk or cream that is curdled with an acid beverage (such as wine or cider) and often sweetened and served as a drink or topping or thickened with gelatin and served as a dessert

Did you know?

Syllabub's a concoction whose name has had almost as many variations as there are versions of how to make it: "solybubbe," "sullabub," "sullibib," "sellibub," "sallibube," "sillie bube," "sillybob" - even "sillibucke" and "silly-bauk" in some dialects. There are theories about the word's origins, but no one knows for sure where the name came from. (There's no connection to "silly," as far as we know, though imbibing it might make one act that way.) We do know that both the name "syllabub" and the concoction itself go back to at least the 16th century. Today, we're more likely to encounter "syllabub" in a historical novel than on the menu at a local drinking spot, at least in the United States, but those fortunate enough to taste the drink/dessert often give it rave reviews.

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1537, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of syllabub was circa 1537

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Dictionary Entries Near syllabub

Cite this Entry

“Syllabub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllabub. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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