pickle
UK[ˈpɪk.l̩]US[ˈpɪk.l̩]
n
a vegetable or fruit that has been preserved in vinegar or salt water
n
a difficult or unpleasant situation
v
to preserve food in vinegar or salt water
Etymology
the word 'pickle' entered english in the 15th century from middle dutch 'pekel' or middle low german 'pókel', meaning a brine or salt solution used for preserving food. these germanic terms are of uncertain ultimate origin, though some theories suggest a connection to the root of words meaning 'pierce' or 'prick', perhaps relating to the sharp, pungent taste. the semantic journey is direct: from the preserving liquid, to the food preserved within it. the metaphorical extension to mean a 'difficult situation' (first recorded in the 16th century) likely derives from the notion of being immersed in a harsh, unpleasant, or 'pickling' environment.
Analysis
the word 'pickle' is a simplex loanword from middle dutch or middle low german, where it functioned as a noun. its core meaning relates to a brining or preserving liquid.
Examples
she made a jar of delicious dill pickles from the cucumbers in her garden.
after missing the last bus, i found myself in a real pickle.
my grandmother used to pickle onions and beetroot every autumn.