Scallion
/ˈskæl.jən/noun
A young onion, especially one with a long green stem and little or no bulb.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to the same ancient root as garlic and leek, showing how everyday kitchen words can preserve very old plant names across millennia.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skol- / *skel-
“A proposed ancient root connected to splitting or stalk-like growth, though the exact prehistory of the plant-name line is debated.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
askolonion
“A kind of onion or leek, likely a plant with a bulb or stalk.”
Late Latin
Latin
ascalonia
“An onion from Ascalon, a place-name used for the plant.”
Old French
Old French
escaloigne / escalogne
“A shallot or small onion.”
Middle English
English
scallion
“A small onion; later, specifically a young onion with a long green top.”
Modern English
English
scallion
“A young onion, especially one eaten before the bulb fully develops.”