1. The "Noodle" Theory:
* This theory suggests "noodle" comes directly from the German word "Nudel," which itself likely originated from the Middle High German "nudeln," meaning "little dumplings."
* This makes sense as noodles are essentially a type of dough, and "dumpling" fits the description of many noodle types.
* However, this theory doesn't explain the word's presence in other languages, such as "nudeln" in Dutch, "nudlar" in Swedish, and "nudeln" in Danish.
2. The "Nodel" Theory:
* Another theory proposes that "noodle" comes from the Italian "nodel," which refers to a type of pasta.
* This theory is supported by the fact that many types of pasta, especially long, thin ones, are called "noodle" in English.
* However, "nodel" is not a commonly used word in Italian, and it's unclear how it would have traveled to English.
3. The "Noodle" Theory (again):
* A third theory proposes that "noodle" originated from the Yiddish word "nodel," meaning "needle."
* This theory is based on the resemblance of long, thin noodles to needles.
* However, there's no concrete evidence to support this theory, and it's unlikely Yiddish would have had such a strong influence on English vocabulary.
4. The "Unknown" Theory:
* Ultimately, the origin of "noodle" remains unclear, and it's possible the word has multiple origins or that its origins are simply lost to history.
What We Do Know:
* "Noodle" first appeared in English in the late 17th century.
* The word became popular in the 19th century, as Chinese noodles gained popularity in Western countries.
Conclusion:
While the origin of "noodle" is unknown, it's likely a combination of influences, including Germanic, Italian, and possibly even Yiddish. The word's popularity reflects the enduring appeal of noodles as a global food staple.