chess pie

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English

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a slice of a coconut chess pie

Etymology

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Uncertain; most likely from cheese pie;[1][2][3] early versions were similar in texture to British lemon curd pies or cheesecakes, and earlier "cheesecakes" often lacked cheese, instead resembling modern chess pies or chess cakes. Other theories include:

  • from a Southern pronunciation of (it's) jes' pie, as it contrasts with flavored pies like pecan, cherry, chocolate, etc.[2][3]
  • from chest pie, as the high sugar content means it can be stored in a "pie chest" (pie safe) rather than needing refrigeration.[2][3]
  • from some association with the game of chess.[3]
  • from Chester, England.[4]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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chess pie (countable and uncountable, plural chess pies)

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
  1. (Southern US, Midland US) A pie made with eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, and cornmeal.
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ “chess pie”, in Dictionary of American Regional English[1], University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2019, Quarterly Update 17.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Linda (2021 December 7 (last accessed)) “Chess Pie History”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)[2], What's Cooking America
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Editors of Southern Living, Southern Living 1,001 Ways to Cook Southern: The Ultimate Treasury Of Southern Classics (2017, Time Inc. Books, →ISBN), page 166
  4. ^ Lynne Olver, Food Timeline: history notes-pie & pastry, in The Food Timeline (2018-02-21)