elote

English

Etymology

    Borrowed from Spanish elote (fresh ear of corn).[1]

    Pronunciation

    • (UK) IPA(key): /ɛˈləʊteɪ/
    • (US) IPA(key): /ɛˈloʊˌteɪ/

    Noun

    elote (countable and uncountable, plural elotes)

    1. (uncountable, originally) Corn (maize) harvested before reaching full maturity.
    2. (uncountable, countable) A street food dish originating in Central America, but now also popular in the United States, consisting of corn on the cob which is grilled or boiled and served on a stick, typically with toppings such as cheese, chili powder, mayonnaise, and lime juice.
      • 2023 August 22, Emily Weinstein, “Grilled to a Char, Creamed With Coconut, Livened With Lime and Piled on Pasta”, in The New York Times[1], New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 28 August 2023:
        I love elotes, esquites and arepas. I really love it in ice cream and pudding; if you haven't had these delicacies, do it now.

    References

    1. ^ elote, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

    Spanish

    Etymology

      Borrowed from Classical Nahuatl ēlōtl (green corn cob, fresh ear of corn).

      Pronunciation

      • IPA(key): /eˈlote/ [eˈlo.t̪e]
      • Audio (Costa Rica):(file)
      • Rhymes: -ote
      • Syllabification: e‧lo‧te

      Noun

      elote m (plural elotes)

      1. (Mexico, Central America) fresh ear of corn
        Synonyms: (South and Central America) choclo, (Venezuela) jojoto

      Derived terms

      See also

      Further reading