IN GREEK
μουσακάς
mousakas
layered eggplant and mince dish with béchamel
IN TURKISH
musakka
musakka
eggplant and mince dish, usually without béchamel
WEAR THE WORD
μουσακάς in blue ink and musakka in red, on a T shirt, a tote or a mug.
THE RECORD
- LENT BY, BORROWED BY
- Turkish to Greek
- STARTED IN
- Arabic
- CATEGORY
- Food
- HOW THE MEANING DRIFTED
- The Greek dish is layered and topped with béchamel; the Turkish dish is usually a stovetop eggplant and mince stew.
- NOTES
- From Arabic musaqqaʿa. Greek received the word through Turkish.
COMMENTS
An editor reads every comment before it appears.
SOURCES
- Nişanyan Sözlük (checked online)
Etymologies are checked against the dictionaries and studies listed. An entry is stamped settled only when both the Greek and the Turkish side have been checked. Research for this ledger was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed by the editors.
HOW TO CITE THIS ENTRY
Gold, K. (ed.) (2026) ‘μουσακάς / musakka’, entry 041, Defter ή Tefteri: a ledger of shared Greek and Turkish words. https://defteritefteri.com/en/w/041-mousakas/. Accessed [day month year].