The term deviled egg is derived from an 18th-century culinary term that was originally used by the Oxford English Dictionary to denote a highly seasoned fried or boiled dish.

This was then expanded to include spicy, condiment-laden foods as well. It was eventually adopted as a term for eggs.

“Combine a cuisine with numerous hot or spicy ingredients such as red pepper, mustard, or Tabasco sauce, resulting in a ‘deviled’ dish,” says the dictionary.

In this recipe the egg is seasoned with so many spices. That’s why people call it deviled eggs.