FEASTING ON PIE

Historians have long debated the origins of the beloved dish known as pierogi. Theories range from its supposed Chinese roots brought to Europe by Marco Polo, to the idea that it was introduced by invading Tatars in the thirteenth century. However, etymology provides a definitive answer, proving that pierogi must have originated in central-eastern Europe. The English term is a plural of the Polish word pierog, which meant “dumpling”, and that word is derived from the Russian pirog, which can also mean “pie”. Pirog, tracing back to Proto-Slavic piru meaning “feast”, ultimately stems from Proto-Indo-European poi, meaning “to drink”. Borrowed into English in 1854, the word pierogi peaked in usage in 2002 and has been on a decline since then.