Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: Gumbo

Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Overview

In this episode, Merriam-Webster explores the origins and meanings—both literal and figurative—of the word gumbo, a term rooted in diverse cultures and culinary traditions. The episode takes listeners through the etymology, usage, and evolution of "gumbo," enriching word enthusiasts' vocabulary and cultural understanding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Gumbo is defined as:
  • A noun referring to a soup thickened with okra pods or filé (powdered sassafras leaves), containing meat or seafood and usually vegetables.
  • Used figuratively to mean a mixture or blend of things.

“Gumbo is a noun. It refers to a soup thickened with okra pods or filet and containing meat or seafoods and usually vegetables. The word is also used figuratively to refer to a mixture or blend of something.”
— Peter Sokolowski [00:18]

2. Literary Example

• Example from Girls with Long Shadows by Tennessee Hill Graham:
  • Describes a scene where characters share a bucket of gumbo, emphasizing its comforting, communal role.

“Aunt Rachel got a big bucket of gumbo on the way home, and we ate it out of the container with plastic spoons in front of the clubhouse tv, watching episode after episode of Jeopardy, none of us wagering any answers. Gull sat in my lap and picked out the okra.”
— Quoted in episode [00:32]

3. Cultural Context and Culinary Roots

• Origins:
  • Gumbo is an iconic Creole cuisine dish from Louisiana.
  • Reflects a blend of African, Indigenous North American, and European traditions.

“Gumbo refers to an aromatic soup of the Creole cuisine of Louisiana, combining African, indigenous North American and European elements.”
— Peter Sokolowski [00:54]

• Linguistic Roots:
  • The term comes from American French gambo, which is of Bantu origin.
  • Specifically related to the Umbundu word ochingombo meaning okra.

“It takes its name from the American French word gambo, which in turn is of Bantu origin and related to the Umbundu word ochingombo, meaning okra.”
— Peter Sokolowski [01:06]

4. Key Ingredients and Preparation

• Okra is usually the core thickener in gumbo unless filé is used.
• "The Holy Trinity" of gumbo: celery, onion, and bell pepper.
• Additional potential ingredients: seafood (shrimp, crab, oysters), meats (chicken, sausage, duck, game), and leafy greens.

“Okra usually plays a starring role in gumbo as a thickener, unless the soup is thickened by filé, powdered young sassafras leaves, alongside the holy trinity of celery, onion and bell pepper and any number of additional ingredients, from seafood, shrimp, crab or oysters to meat, chicken, sausage, duck or game to leafy greens.”
— Peter Sokolowski [01:15]

5. Figurative Use of ‘Gumbo’

• The diversity of ingredients and preparations gave rise to its metaphorical use—a melange or “gumbo of ideas.”

“The variety of ingredients and ways to prepare the dish eventually led to the figurative sense of gumbo, referring to a variety, mixture or melange of things, as in a gumbo of ideas.”
— Peter Sokolowski [01:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Gumbo refers to an aromatic soup of the Creole cuisine of Louisiana, combining African, indigenous North American and European elements.” [00:54]

• “...the figurative sense of gumbo, referring to a variety, mixture or melange of things, as in a gumbo of ideas.” [01:40]

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–00:18 — Definition, pronunciation, and basic usage
• 00:32–00:54 — Literary sample
• 00:54–01:15 — Cultural context, etymology, and preparation details
• 01:40 — Figurative application of the word

Conclusion

The episode deftly blends linguistic detail and cultural context, illustrating how “gumbo” is more than a delicious dish—it’s a metaphor for rich mixtures everywhere. For vocab lovers or simply the curious, “gumbo” offers a flavorful serving of language, history, and culture.