boterham

Dutch

Etymology

Alteration of earlier boteram, boterram, of uncertain origin. Possibly from boter (“butter”) + *ramme, *remme (“thick slice of bread”) (compare obsolete rammel, remmel (“thick slice of bread”) and West Flemish rammeke (“toasted sandwich”)). Alternatively perhaps from boter (“butter”) +‎ *ham (“chunk”). Alternatively, short for boterenbroot (“buttered bread”). Unrelated to ham (“ham”). Related to Low German boteram and French bouterame, which are borrowed from the Dutch.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈboːtərˌɦɑm/, /ˈboːtəˌrɑm/

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• Hyphenation: bo‧ter‧ham

Noun

boterham m (plural boterhammen, diminutive boterhammetje n)

1. a slice of bread
2. sandwich

Related terms

• bammetje
• brood

Descendants

• English: butter-ham