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You are here: Home / Language / Where does the expression “hors d’oeuvres” come from and What does hors d’oeuvres mean?

Where does the expression “hors d’oeuvres” come from and What does hors d’oeuvres mean?

June 2, 2020 by Karen Hill

Your French dictionary will define the expression hors d’oeuvres, “in composition, art, or the like, that which is not an essential part of the work.”

Then it may go on to say, “In cuisine, something such as radishes, olives, etc., served before the main dish.”

From this you may see that the literal idea of the phrase is, “Aside from the work; not essential.”

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Filed Under: Language

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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