barbecue (English)

Where does "barbecue" come from?

The English word barbecue dates from the mid-17th century[1]. It was borrowed from the Spanish 'barbacoa'[1], which itself comes from the Taíno 'barbakoa', meaning 'framework of sticks'[1]. The Taíno people originally used this raised wooden structure to either sleep on or cure meat[1]. Over time, the meaning shifted to describe a 'meal of roasted meat or fish'[1]. It shares a doublet relationship with 'balbacua' and 'barbacoa'[1].

Full etymology tree

• barbecue (English), 'A fireplace or pit for grilling food, typically used outdoors and traditionally employing hot charcoal as the heating medium.'
  • borrowed barbacoa (Spanish), 'barbecue (fireplace or pit for grilling food)'
    • borrowed barbacoa (Taíno)

Ancestors

• barbacoa (Spanish)
• barbakoa (Taíno)

Cognates and doublets

• balbacua (English)
• barbacoa (English)

Descendants and derived words

• barbekyu (Cebuano)
• barbekyu (Cebuano)
• banana cue (English)
• barbecue pork (English)
• barbecuer (English)
• barbecue sauce (English)
• barbecue slaw (English)
• barbecue stopper (English)
• barbecuey (English)
• barbie (English)
• barbie (English)
• BBQ (English)

Sources

1. barbecue (English) - Wiktionary
2. barbacoa (Spanish) - Wiktionary

Updated September 2026

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Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris