[MR] What, pray tell, are beignets?

[Towey, Brian]

> The Meriam-Webster Collegiate dictionary cites the usage of this term
> starting around 1940

Which term?  The diminutive sopaipilla?  Or one of its roots?

Furthermore, I hope you will excuse my asking, but why does it matter which
word is older?  Surely you're not trying to re-kindle the flame war about
period vs. non-period snacks, are you?  Poor dead horse!  

In any case, Merriam-Webster would cite the first use in English.  The
better question would be: when was sopaipa first used in Spanish? 

And, to my mind, a better question still is where one can buy fresh beignets
or sopaipillas here in Atlantia.  This discussion is making me hungry!

-Charles Fleming