Vegemites

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A savory spread made from yeast extract, commonly used on bread or crackers
2. Often associated with Australian cuisine, this spread is typically noted for its strong umami flavor
3. A food product that is both nutritious and rich in B vitamins, often enjoyed with butter or margarine

Etymology: "Vegemites" is the plural of "vegemite," the name of the savory yeast spread. Plurals are rarely the interesting part of a word, but here the form is worth a closer look: the trademarked brand name became a common noun, so people speak of several jars or several brands of the spread as "vegemites." Like many brand names that turn generic, the word now refers to the product type rather than to a single manufacturer's jar. The base word "vegemite" is a coined name built from familiar English pieces: "veg," short for vegetable, and "-mite," a shortened form of the everyday word "might" or a playful echo of "mite," a small thing. The source does not give the reasoning behind the coinage, so the precise intent of the name's inventor remains uncertain.

Synonyms: vegemite