pepperette

Etymology

From pepper + -ette.

Why this word is great

PEPPERETTE — [Noun] A small receptacle with a perforated top for dispensing ground pepper or spices; alternatively, a snack of spiced meat or an adulterant of ground olive pits mixed into peppercorns. From pepper (from Old English piper, from Latin piper, from Greek peperi, likely of Indo-Aryan origin) + -ette (a diminutive suffix of French origin). Unlike "pepperoni" (a specific salami) or "pepper mill" (a grinder for whole peppercorns), "pepperette" is a humble vessel or a modest deception—a thing of utility or economy. It is the tin shaker left to rust on a diner’s laminate counter, the greasy paper sleeve of cured meat tucked into a lunchbox, or the quiet fraud of pit-dust passing for spice—proof that even the smallest things can carry heat, or hide it.

noun

  1. An adulterant added to ground peppercorns, made from ground olive pits.“In opening up the case for the prosecution Mr. Sadler stated that the pepper was found by the analyst (Dr. Campbell Brown) to contain 7 percent, of pepperette; and he was proceeding to refer to Mr. Kotzian, the manufacturer of the substance, when Mr. FirmiDger objected, and the objection was sustained by the Bench.”
  2. A small receptacle with a perforated top used for dispensing pepper or similar spices.“The idea is also applied to spices, such as ginger, mace, cinnamon, nutmeg, mixed spice, &c., a household box of pepperettes, containing six assorted spices of the best quality, costing 1s. 3d.”
  3. A snack product made of meat spiced with hot pepper“Out of the case, the meat case across the back of the store which had pepperettes, bologna, cold cuts, cheeses, steaks, chops, hams, all sorts of items.”
  4. A mild small red capsicum.“Gently fry the tomatoes in olive oil and put the pepperette in whole.”