the word 'sweet-sour' is a modern english compound adjective, formed by directly conjoining two basic taste descriptors of germanic origin. 'sweet' derives from proto-germanic swōtuz, ultimately from the proto-indo-european root swéh₂dus, which conveyed the sense of pleasantness or sweetness. 'sour' originates from proto-germanic sūraz, from pie súHros, meaning 'sour, salty, bitter'. the compound logically and transparently describes a flavour profile that is a deliberate, often balanced, combination of these two contrasting sensory qualities, a concept popularized in western descriptions of certain east asian, particularly chinese, cuisines.

Structure: sweet (sweet) + sour (sour) sweet (from old english 'swēte', meaning pleasant to the taste, not salty or bitter; functions as the first element of a compound adjective). sour (from old english 'sūr', meaning having an acid taste like lemon or vinegar; functions as the second element of a compound adjective).