Anago
/ˈænəɡoʊ/noun
A Japanese conger eel, especially when served as food.
Did you know?The name combines Japanese ana, “hole,” with ko, “child,” while the eel’s soft, sweet flesh made it a prized sushi ingredient.
Etymological Timeline
Old Japanese
Japanese
ana
“Hole, hollow, or cavity”
Old Japanese
Japanese
ko
“Child or offspring”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
anago
“Conger eel; literally “hole-child””
Modern Japanese
Japanese
穴子 (anago)
“Conger eel, especially the Japanese conger used as food”
20th Century
English
anago
“A Japanese conger eel or a sushi preparation made from it”
Modern English
English
anago
“A loanword used in English mainly in culinary and sushi contexts”