Lye is an old English word for?
Lye Lye A lye is a metal hydroxide traditionally obtained by leaching ashes (containing largely potassium carbonate or "potash"), or a strong alkali which is highly soluble in water producing caustic basic solutions. "Lye" is commonly an alternative name of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or historically potassium hydroxide (KOH), though the term "lye" refers to any member of a broad range of metal hydroxides. Today, lye is commercially manufactured using a membrane cell chloralkali process. It is supplied in various forms such as flakes, pellets, microbeads, coarse powder or a solution. Lyes are used to cure many types of food, including the
Lye main ingredient. Lye is added to water, cooled for a few minutes and then added to oils and butters. The mixture is then cooked over a period of time (1–2 hours), typically in a slow cooker, and then placed into a mold. This method is much quicker than cold process, as it doesn't take several weeks to complete. The ancient use of lye for soap-making and as a detergent is the origin of the English word, deriving from Proto-Germanic "*laugo" and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*leue-", "to wash." Relatives in other Germanic languages, besides their words for lye, include