grasshopper pie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowinformal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “grasshopper pie” mean?
A sweet, chilled dessert pie, typically with a crumb or chocolate crust, filled with a pale green, mint-flavoured cream or custard, often containing marshmallows and/or whipped cream.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sweet, chilled dessert pie, typically with a crumb or chocolate crust, filled with a pale green, mint-flavoured cream or custard, often containing marshmallows and/or whipped cream.
A dessert that symbolises American mid-20th century home baking and nostalgia. It may also refer idiomatically to something that is pleasantly light, refreshing, or reminiscent of a bygone era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is an almost exclusively American culinary term. In British English, the dish is largely unknown and the term would likely be interpreted literally as a pie containing actual grasshoppers.
Connotations
In AmE: nostalgia, retro Americana, potlucks, family gatherings. In BrE: confusion, novelty, or potential disgust if interpreted literally.
Frequency
Very common in AmE culinary contexts, especially historical or regional (Midwest, South). Extremely rare to non-existent in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “grasshopper pie” in a Sentence
[Subject] baked/made a grasshopper pie for [Event].[Subject] loves/serves grasshopper pie.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grasshopper pie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- The grasshopper-pie filling was perfectly set. (Attributive noun use only)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in the context of a menu for a retro-themed diner or bakery.
Academic
Rare. Possibly in historical or cultural studies of American foodways.
Everyday
Used in social and culinary contexts (e.g., discussing recipes, potluck dishes, family desserts).
Technical
Used in culinary arts to describe a specific type of refrigerated dessert pie.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grasshopper pie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grasshopper pie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grasshopper pie”
- Thinking it contains insects. Using 'grasshopper' as an adjective for the pie without the compound noun structure (e.g., 'grasshopper's pie').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The name comes from the 'Grasshopper' cocktail, which is a mint-chocolate liqueur drink. The pie is a dessert version of those flavours.
Typically, no. It is a refrigerated or 'icebox' pie. The crust might be pre-baked, but the filling is mixed and then chilled until set.
It is a well-known dessert in the United States, particularly associated with mid-20th century home cooking and regional potluck traditions.
Traditionally, the green colour comes from crème de menthe liqueur or, in non-alcoholic versions, from mint extract and green food colouring.
A sweet, chilled dessert pie, typically with a crumb or chocolate crust, filled with a pale green, mint-flavoured cream or custard, often containing marshmallows and/or whipped cream.
Grasshopper pie is usually informal, culinary in register.
Grasshopper pie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrɑːsˌhɒp.ə paɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡræsˌhɑː.pɚ paɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not a pie] to be a grasshopper (from the fable) = to be frivolous and short-sighted. (Note: This is unrelated to the dessert but a source of potential confusion.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a green grasshopper jumping into a cool, creamy pie. The green colour and 'cool' feeling link to the mint flavour and chilled nature of the dessert.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESSERT IS A REFRESHING INSECT (via metonymy from the cocktail name). COLOUR FLAVOUR (green = mint).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary flavour of a traditional grasshopper pie?