English
whig
Whig may come from Middle English whey ‘the leftovers from milk curdled during…’.
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500wheyas wheyȝe‘the leftovers from milk curdled during cheesemaking’uncertain
- Englishtodaywhig
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500wheyas wheyȝe‘the leftovers from milk curdled during cheesemaking’uncertain
- Englishtodaywhig
Linked words
through Middle English whey ‘the leftovers from milk curdled during…’
Today it means
noun Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with buttermilk and sweet herbs, used as a cooling beverage.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle English whey / whig