hush puppy

noun

, Chiefly Southern U.S.

1. a small, unsweetened cake or ball of cornmeal dough fried in deep fat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hush puppy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; allegedly so called because such cakes were fed to dogs to keep them from begging for scraps while other dishes were cooked

Example Sentences

“Never thought a granddaughter of mine wouldn’t know what a hush puppy is!”

From Literature

But the true mark of a great hush puppy is its texture — a crisp exterior that yields to a soft, fluffy center — and this recipe produces exactly that.

From Washington Post

First, tackle the warm items — such as a takoyaki hush puppy or delicate wonton — then continue with savory bites like a roe-embellished cucumber-and-cream-cheese sandwich and an avocado salad with ribbons of carrots.

From Washington Post

Expect beef brisket sandwiches, pulled pork and smoked jalapeño-cheddar sausages, served on a bun or dipped in buttermilk hush puppy batter and fried.

From Seattle Times

The boys swiped one more hush puppy each and trotted back toward their houses.

From Literature