glogg

Glogg is a holiday favorite in many Scandinavian cultures, where it is commonly served on St. Lucia's Day (December 13) and all around Christmas time. Not surprisingly, the word glogg itself (sometimes written as "glögg") is of Scandinavian origin; it comes from Swedish and derives from the verb glödga, meaning "to burn" or "to mull." But although "glogg" may look like it should rhyme with that other notable holiday beverage—"eggnog"—the two aren't quite a perfect match. The "o" in "glogg" is pronounced like either the "u" in "nut," the "oo" in "foot," or the more foreign—sounding "œ" in "bœuf," the French word for "beef." "Nog," on the other hand, is generally pronounced with the "o" as in "mop"—and thus it rhymes with "grog."