Zopf
/tsɔpf/noun
A Swiss or German braided loaf of enriched white bread, traditionally eaten on Sundays.
Did you know?In German, Zopf still means both a braided hairstyle and the braided bread, preserving a striking link between woven hair and woven dough.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*tuppaz
“A tuft, top, or projecting lock; a reconstructed Germanic root associated with pointed or gathered forms.”
Old High German
OHG
zopfo
“A tuft or lock of hair, and later a braid or plait.”
Middle High German
MHG
zopf
“A braid or plait of hair.”
Early New High German
German
Zopf
“A braid, plait, or braided hairstyle; the word also became associated with braided foods.”
19th Century
Swiss German
Zopf
“A braided enriched loaf, especially one prepared for Sunday meals.”
Modern English
English
Zopf
“A Swiss or German braided white bread, used as a culinary loanword.”