[Sca-cooks] Re: Mantquilla and manteca

[Christiane]

It seems to me to be a plain case of a diminutive, essentially unchanged 
from the Latin.  Manta is a big covering, mantilla a little one. 
 Manteca, lard is the main source of fat from a beast;  mantequilla is a 
lesser one, or at least there is less of it available at one time.  Over 
the lifetime of a cow, however, this is not necessarily the case;  over 
the lifetime of a bull on the other hand, it certainly IS.

Best, Selene

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Also keep in mind that the addition of a diminutive to a word in Spanish and Italian is often used to convey fineness or precioussness nerather than just smallness. A mantilla is of fine lace; a manta of small size in coarse wool would never be referred to as a mantilla, unless in a sarcastic manner. Lard, manteca, is coarse and common; mantequilla is a finer, tastier fat. 

Gianotta