pumpernickel

From Westphalian German Pumpernickel, from Pumper (“fart”) (or a related form, such as pumpern) and Nickel (“rascal”) (from the male name Nikolaus (“Nicholas”)), possibly originating as an insult for a person or for the bread itself by outsiders.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpʌmpɚˌnɪkl̩/

pumpernickel (countable and uncountable, plural pumpernickels)

1. A German sourdough bread made from rye.

   Synonym: pumpernickel bread

   • 2016, Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad, Fleet (2017), page 309:

     There was a cut-crystal pitcher full of water, a basket of fruit, and a big loaf of pumpernickel for them to eat.