Eating my coleslaw on Monday, I wondered about the etymology. The first element is recognisable as meaning "cabbage", as in kale, Old English cole, German kohl, and Italian Cavalo, etc. all stemming (pun intended) from Latin Caulus, stalk or cabbage.
But "slaw" seemed a bit mysterious.
It turns out to be from Dutch, sla, slaw, a contraction of "salad", and we borrowed "coleslaw" directly from Dutch koolsla,"cabbage salad".
Etymology of "coleslaw"
But "slaw" seemed a bit mysterious.
It turns out to be from Dutch, sla, slaw, a contraction of "salad", and we borrowed "coleslaw" directly from Dutch koolsla,"cabbage salad".