Tartare
/ˈtɑːr.tɑːr/noun
A French sauce made with mayonnaise, capers, pickles, and seasonings, or a style of food served with a raw or lightly seasoned preparation.
Did you know?French tartare is ultimately linked to Tartarus, the Greek underworld abyss so deep it was said to lie as far below Hades as heaven is above earth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Τάρταρος (Tartaros)
“The abyss of the underworld, a deep prison of punishment”
Classical Latin
Latin
Tartarus
“The underworld abyss, borrowed from Greek myth”
Medieval Latin / Old French
Latin / French
tartare
“Relating to Tartarus; infernal or hellish”
18th Century
French
à la tartare
“Prepared in a manner associated with the Tartars or with a sharp, exotic style”
Modern English
English
tartare
“A preparation, especially of raw or finely chopped food, often served with sauce”