Definition

A type of dark bread made from coarsely ground rye flour, often with a slightly sour taste.

Example

I love to eat pumpernickel bread with cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Conversation

Have you ever tried pumpernickel bread?

Yeah, I love its unique flavor!

I just bought a loaf to make sandwiches this weekend.

That's a great idea; it goes well with so many toppings!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pumpernickel originates from German, where 'pumpern' means to fart and 'Nickel' is a diminutive form of 'Nikolaus' (St. Nicholas). The term humorously refers to the bread's heavy nature, suggesting it might cause flatulence.

Memory Tip

Imagine a heavy bread that might make you 'fart' ('pumpern') — that's why 'pumpernickel' is associated with this humorous origin.

Visually Confused Words