half-and-half
|half-and-half|
🇺🇸
/ˌhæf.ənˈhæf/
🇬🇧
/ˌhɑːf.ənˈhɑːf/
equal parts
Etymology
'half-and-half' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'healf' where 'healf' meant 'half'. The modern expression is a straightforward compound of 'half' + 'and' + 'half'.
'half' comes from Old English 'healf' (and related Old Norse forms); in Middle English the phrase appears as 'half and half' to mean two equal parts, and over time it became used for specific mixtures (e.g., milk and cream) and later often hyphenated as 'half-and-half'.
Initially, it meant 'one of two equal parts'; over time it came to be used for mixtures of two substances in equal proportions (notably the dairy product), and now commonly denotes both the general idea of equal parts and the specific milk/cream product.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a dairy product made by mixing equal parts milk and cream, commonly used in coffee.
She always puts half-and-half in her coffee instead of milk.
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Noun 2
a mixture consisting of equal parts of two different substances or elements.
The sauce was a half-and-half of soy sauce and honey.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 12:53