nutmeg
C1General, with the culinary sense being standard, and the sports sense being informal/slang.
Definition
Meaning
A hard, aromatic, brown seed from the nutmeg tree, grated and used as a spice in cooking and baking.
The tropical evergreen tree (Myristica fragrans) that produces this seed; also, in sports (chiefly soccer/football and basketball), a skilled move where a player kicks or dribbles the ball between an opponent's legs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The culinary sense is a mass noun (e.g., 'add some nutmeg'), but countable when referring to whole seeds (e.g., 'two nutmegs'). The sports sense is informal, countable, and often used as a verb ('he nutmegged the defender').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The culinary term is identical. The sports term 'nutmeg' as a verb and noun is far more common and established in British English (especially football/soccer). In American English, the culinary term is standard, while the sports term is understood but less frequent, often described as 'going through the legs' or a 'five-hole' in ice hockey.
Connotations
In BE, the sports 'nutmeg' carries strong cultural connotations related to football skill and humiliation. In culinary AE, it's associated with fall/winter desserts and savory dishes like béchamel. In culinary BE, similar associations exist, plus its use in drinks like mulled wine.
Frequency
Culinary use: High frequency in both. Sports use: High frequency in UK football contexts; low-to-mid frequency in US sports contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V + nutmeg: grate nutmeg, add nutmeg, season with nutmegV + obj + nutmeg: nutmeg the defender (sports)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'To be sold a nutmeg' (sports slang, UK): To be tricked or deceived by a nutmeg move.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In the spice trade: 'Global nutmeg prices fluctuated due to crop yields.'
Academic
In botany or food science: 'The essential oil of Myristica fragrans contains myristicin.'
Everyday
In cooking: 'This pumpkin pie recipe calls for a teaspoon of nutmeg.'
Technical
In sports analytics: 'The winger completed three successful nutmegs in the first half.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The striker expertly nutmegged the goalkeeper to score.
- He's been nutmegged three times this match.
American English
- In a street soccer move, he nutmegged his friend for fun.
- The point guard nutmegged the defender on a fast break.
adjective
British English
- A nutmeg-flavoured custard.
- The nutmeg note in the whisky was subtle.
American English
- A nutmeg-spiced latte.
- She loves the nutmeg aroma in eggnog.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I put nutmeg on my rice pudding.
- This spice is called nutmeg.
- For the sauce, add a little grated nutmeg.
- The player tried to nutmeg his opponent but failed.
- The flavour profile is dominated by cinnamon and nutmeg, with hints of clove.
- His signature move is to feint left and then nutmeg the defender on the right.
- Nutmeg, once a highly prized commodity in the spice trade, is now a common kitchen staple.
- The crowd roared as the young talent executed a perfect nutmeg in the dying minutes of the match.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A NUT you MEG(a)-grind into a spicy powder.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPICE IS WARMTH/COMFORT (culinary); A SKILLFUL MOVE IS A PHYSICAL TRICK/DECEPTION (sports).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian 'мускатный орех' (muskatny orekh) translates directly and accurately to 'nutmeg' for the spice. No major trap.
- The sports meaning has no direct equivalent in Russian; it must be described (e.g., 'провести мяч между ног').
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'nutmeg' with 'mace' (which is the lacy aril covering the nutmeg seed).
- Incorrect pluralisation in the culinary sense ('nutmegs' is only for whole seeds).
- Using the sports verb 'nutmegged' with incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'he nutmegged to the defender' instead of 'he nutmegged the defender').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'nutmeg' most likely to be used as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They come from the same fruit of the nutmeg tree. Nutmeg is the inner seed, while mace is the red, lace-like covering (aril) around that seed. They have similar but distinct flavours.
The origin is debated. One popular theory is that in 19th-century London slang, 'nutmeg' meant something stylish or clever. Another suggests it rhymes with 'leg', or refers to the ball going 'through the nuts' (testicles).
Yes, in very large, non-culinary doses (typically >10g or 1-2 whole nutmegs), it can cause hallucinations, nausea, and heart palpitations due to the compound myristicin. Culinary use is perfectly safe.
It is understood, especially among soccer fans, but it is far less common and ingrained than in British English. American sports commentators might use phrases like 'went through the legs' more frequently.
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