GRAPPA

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 24 February 2012

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GRAPPA  (n. pl. -S)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) a dry colorless brandy from Italy, distilled from the fermented residue of grapes

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: -S
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: (none)
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: (none)

Epilogue:
The word for this type of brandy comes from an Italian dialect word meaning “grapes” or “grape stalk,” and true GRAPPA must be made in Italy.  It is obviously related to our common word GRAPE, which itself derives from an Old French word meaning “bunch of grapes” or “grape.”  The ultimate origin of these GRAPY (or GRAPEY) words is probably in the Old High German krapfo (“hook”), perhaps in reference to a hook used to pick the vine.  In any case, the word GRAPE started appearing in English in the 1200-1300s, gradually replacing the delightful Old English compound winberige, or “wine berry.”


Recapping this week’s bunch of words:
BOTRYOID, RACEME, and GRAPPA

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