farofa

English

Etymology

From Portuguese farofa, perhaps from Kimbundu falofa or from Latin far (a type of hulled wheat) + offa (chunk; dumpling).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /fəˈroʊfə/

Noun

farofa (uncountable)

  1. A toasted manioc flour used in Brazilian cookery, typically as an accompaniment to a main meal. [from 20th c.]
    • 2003, Peter Robb, A Death in Brazil, Bloomsbury, published 2005, page 83:
      Farofa will be a part of any memorable Brazilian lunch, and it was of one in particular.

Portuguese

Etymology

Uncertain.[1]

  • Possibly an African borrowing;[2] see Kimbundu falofa,[3] referencing a meal made with flour, oil, water, and peanuts. However some sources argue that the Kimbundu term may have been borrowed from Portuguese instead.
  • Perhaps from Latin far (a type of hulled wheat) + offa (chunk; dumpling).[4]

Pronunciation

 
  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /faˈɾɔ.fɐ/
    • (Southern Brazil) IPA(key): /faˈɾɔ.fa/

  • Rhymes: -ɔfɐ

Noun

farofa f (plural farofas)

  1. (Brazil, cooking) food made from manioc flour cooked in fat
  2. (figuratively) brag; boast
    Synonym: gabarolice

Derived terms

See also

  • farófia (different food, but with similar figurative meanings)

References

  1. ^ farofa”, in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Lisbon: Priberam, 20082025
  2. ^ farofa”, in Dicionário Aulete Digital (in Portuguese), Rio de Janeiro: Lexikon Editora Digital, 20082025
  3. ^ farofa”, in Michaelis Dicionário Brasileiro da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), São Paulo: Editora Melhoramentos, 20152025
  4. ^ farofa”, in Dicionário infopédia da Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese), Porto: Porto Editora, 20032025

Further reading

  • Schneider, Dictionary of African Borrowings in Brazilian Portuguese