Stroopwafel added to Oxford English Dictionary

The beloved Dutch treat, stroopwafel, has officially been added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), marking a significant milestone for the sweet’s global popularity. The stroopwafel entry was officially added in December.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, stroopwafel is a "sweet snack consisting of two small, very thin, circular waffles sandwiched together with a syrup or caramel filling." The treat and the word for it back date to 1974.

In its commentary, the OED added to that by saying that a stroopwafel "is best warmed atop a hot tea or coffee. It originated in the Netherlands but is now popular in many other parts of the world too (including, it must be said, the OED offices)."

The word "stroopwafel" first appeared in American media in 1995, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. An advertisement in the Akron Beacon Journal, similarly to the OED, described the treat as "Just arrived from Holland, these syrup waffles go particularly well with good coffees or teas."

The OED's timeline further includes a 2019 mention in Time Out London, where the treat was described alongside the vibrant cultural scene in the Netherlands. "It's tulip season; the cracks of the city are bursting with flowers; the air is saturated with the smell of...pancakes with sugar and stroopwafels," the OED writes.