Chipolte or chipotle?

Question

Actually got in arguement over this: I am told that chipotle simply means smoked jalapeño; it is not a type of pepper but a way that jalapeños are prepared. Someone else says that chipotle and chipolte are just two different types of peppers and the fact that there are restuarants called Chipolte Grill proves this. Is there any such word as "chipolte" in Spanish and what does it mean?

Speaking of spelling, "arguement" is the wrong way to spell the word, but your answer to the question is appreciated. - donmatzkin, Oct 2, 2015

Answer 1

Chipotle is not a Spanish Language word, but a native indian Nahuatl language word!

I think this only partialy true. If I'm not mistaken, chipotle is a "Spanish" word derived from the original Nahuatl word "xipotli". - canicos, Aug 30, 2010

It is a Spanish word that comes from Nahuatl, same as English has tens of thousands of words that are not from Anglo-Saxon origin. - lazarus1907, Aug 30, 2010

Canicos, you might be right! in the web of the "Real academia de la lengua Espanola" were they add new words all the time shows teh following: chipotle. (Del nahua chilpoctli, chile ahumado). 1. m. Méx. Variedad de chile picante, de color rojo ladrillo. - marilo63, Aug 30, 2010

Canicos, it is in the Royal Spanish dictionary of the spanish language as an authorized word in the Vigesima segunda edicion... & it is not part or a term in the Panhispanico de dudas session. I love to use this site www.rae.es...a Spanish treasure - marilo63, Aug 30, 2010

Answer 2

BAD SPELLING/PRONUNCIATION!!! 'Chipotle' is a smoked, dried jalapeño...and I believe that the restaurante is called 'Chipotle Grill' not 'Chipolte' It is common to hear anglos pronounce it as if the L came before the T, but this is just bad pronunciation.

And an annoying pronounciation at that! - wenc3, Aug 30, 2010

Answer 3

restuarants called chipolte grill proves this

No, I don't think so. Using what McDonald's labels a restuarant proves absolutely nothing except that they never stop trying to make money. Not a bad thing, mind you, just that it is the only thing it 'proves'.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) (pronounced /t???po?tle?/ or chih-POAT-lay[3]) is a chain of restaurants in the United States and Canada[4] specializing in burritos and tacos. It was founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and based in Denver, Colorado. The name Chipotle derives from the Mexican Spanish name for a smoked, dried jalapeño chili pepper, and ultimately derives from the Nahuatl language.[5] Wikipedia

And clearly, they spell it Chipotle.

Note: /tʃɨˈpoʊtleɪ/ is the English pronunciation, not the Spanish one. - lazarus1907, Aug 30, 2010

Lazarus is correct, I was passing-on the info you will find on Wikipedia. - LateToDinner, Aug 30, 2010

Answer 4

The most important thing I know about chipotle is that they taste good!

Answer 5

and I believe that the restaurant is called 'Chipotle Grill' not 'Chipolte'

You are correct about this. There are a fairly decent number of these (at least a couple dozen) franchise restaurants in and around the city where I live, and they do spell it Chipotle

Regarding the actual nature of chipotle peppers, you might find this link helpful Chipotle

Answer 6

Normally chipotle is a variety of chilli that has been dried and smoked. I wasn't familiar with the grilled version, or with the word chipolte.

P. S. Angelinafr had already answered your question.