Where does the word scampi originate from?

The word "scampi" originates from the Italian word "scampi", which is the plural of "scampo". This word itself comes from the Latin "scampus", meaning "escaped" or "fleeting".

However, the word "scampi" as we know it in the context of food, referring to a dish of shrimp, comes from Italian cuisine. The dish likely got its name due to the small size and delicate nature of the shrimp, often used in this preparation, which could be seen as "escaping" or "fleeting" in their appearance.

So, while the word "scampi" itself has a Latin origin, its association with the specific dish comes from its use in Italian cuisine.