Graham

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹeɪ.əm/

Definitions

1. A type of flour made from whole wheat kernels that are coarsely ground, often used in baking and breakfast cereals
2. A coarsely ground flour derived from whole wheat grains, commonly utilized in various baking recipes and breakfast foods
3. A flour made by grinding entire wheat kernels, typically used in baking products and cereals for added nutrition

Etymology: Sylvester Graham (1794–1851) was an American Presbyterian minister turned health reformer who believed that refined white flour, rich food and spicy meals fueled lust and disease. He promoted a diet of coarsely ground whole wheat bread and bland vegetables, and his ideas drew large crowds of followers, some of whom were known as Grahamites. The flour he championed was named after him, and the word "graham" for that flour is simply his surname turned into a common noun. Because Graham's followers ate bread made from this coarse flour, the name stuck to the product itself, and the "graham cracker" later took the name in the same way. The flour is therefore not a technical term but a personal eponym, a reminder of one man's dietary crusade.