pepper-pot

A chef adds a pinch of pepper-pot to the simmering stew.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A container with a perforated top: "pepper-pot" refers to a small container, typically with holes in the lid, used for sprinkling ground pepper onto food. This is synonymous with "pepperbox."
   • A spicy stew: In Caribbean cuisine, especially in the Antilles, "pepper-pot" is a traditional dish made with meat (often beef or pork) and vegetables, heavily seasoned with chili peppers and other spices.
   • A hot-tempered person (slang): "pepper-pot" can describe someone who is easily angered or quick to show irritation, akin to being "hot-tempered" or "fiery."

Usage Examples

• Container:
  • She passed the pepper-pot to her guest so he could season his soup. (A small shaker for ground pepper.)
• Stew:
  • The restaurant served a traditional pepper-pot with cassava and dumplings. (A spicy Caribbean meat stew.)
• Person:
  • He is a real pepper-pot; any criticism makes him furious. (A person who is quick to anger.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a pepper-pot": to have a volatile or irritable temperament.
  • The old man is a pepper-pot, always shouting at children who play near his house. (He is easily angered and expresses it loudly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pepperbox (n): a similar container for pepper, often with a cylindrical shape and a perforated top.
  • The antique pepperbox was made of silver. (A container for sprinkling pepper.)
• Pepper (n): the spice itself, from which the container and stew derive their names.

Synonyms

• Container: shaker, caster, dredger.
• Stew: ragout, casserole, hotpot (general terms for slow-cooked meat dishes).
• Person: hothead, firebrand, spitfire (someone prone to anger).

Phrasal Verbs

• Pepper up: to add pepper to food for flavor.
  • Pepper up the stew before serving. (Sprinkle pepper into the dish.)
• Pepper with: to cover or fill something with many small items or remarks.
  • He peppered his speech with jokes. (He filled his speech with many jokes.)

Related Idioms

• "To be a pepper-pot": as noted in advanced usage, meaning to be quick-tempered.
• "Hot as pepper": extremely spicy or intense in flavor or temperament.
  • The sauce is hot as pepper, so use it sparingly. (Very spicy.)