Greek Glossary
Agios Nikolaos: St. Nikolaos. In the Greek Orthodox Church, his Feast Day is December 6. Children leave out their shoes so he can fill them with coins and little tokens.
Agios Vasilis: St. Basil. In the Greek Orthodox Church, his Feast Day is January 1. He delivers gifts to children on New Year’s Eve.
Avgolemono: A soup. Literally means egg lemon, two of the ingredients.
Assyrtiko: A white wine.
Baklava: A layered pastry dessert made of filo dough, chopped nuts, and honey.
Christopsomo: A Christmas bread.
Diples: Thin sheets of folded dough served with honey.
Dolmades: Made with cabbage or vine/grape leaves, stuffed with rice, shaped into little rolls and boiled.
Galaktoboureko: Custard in a crispy phyllo pastry shell.
Gyro: Sandwich made from beef or lamb cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It is often served with onions, tomato, lettuce, and tzatziki in a pita.
Kala Christouyena: Merry Christmas.
Kalamata olives: An olive named after the city of Kalamata in the southern Peloponnese, Greece. Usually preserved in wine vinegar or olive oil.
Kalimera: Good day or good morning.
Karidopita: A walnut cake with syrup.
Kleftiko: Marinated slow cooked lamb.
Koukla; Doll. A term of endearment in the Economos family.
Koulourakia: A pastry twisted into braids or other twists. Often made at Easter or to have with coffee or tea.
Kourabiethes: Cookies coated in confectioner’s sugar. Often made at Christmas.
Krasomelo: A mulled wine.
Lahanodolmathes: Stuffed cabbage rolls in lemon sauce.
Loukoumades: Pastry balls deep fried and topped with honey and walnuts.
Melomakarona: Cookies scented with orange and cinnamon, covered with honey and crushed walnuts.
Micro Hellas: Little Greece.
Moustokouloura: A cookie made with grape must or grape molasses, olive oil, cinnamon and clove.
Opa: An exclamation used to express enthusiasm, shock or surprise, or when one makes a mistake. It can be an invitation to join dancing and is exclaimed when saganaki is lit. It often is heard at celebrations.
Ouzo: An anise-flavored liqueur.
Papou: Grandpa.
Pascha: Easter.
Pastitsio: A baked dish with ground beef, macaroni and bechamel sauce.
Pilafi: Rice pilaf.
Rizogalo: Rice pudding.
Saganaki: A little pan. Floured, flaming cheese.
Skaltsounia: Crescent-shaped pastries filled with walnut, jam and apple filling.
Spanakopita: Pie made of phyllo dough, spinach and feta cheese.
Souvlaki: Small pieces of meat – lamb, beef or chicken – grilled on a skewer.
Taramasalata: A spread made of salted and cured roe of the cod, carp, or bottarga mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, and either bread, potatoes, or almonds.
Thea: Aunt. Could be a parent’s sibling or an honorary title bestowed on close friends and relatives.
Theos: Uncle. Could be a parent’s sibling or an honorary title bestowed on close friends and relatives.
Tirokroketes: Fried cheese balls.
Tzatziki: A sauce made from yogurt, cucumbers, spices and other ingredients.
Xinomavro: A red wine.
Yiayia: Grandma.