Pico de gallo (1958)

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

I have endless meetings with relatives (a funeral is  tomorrow) and one 
served "pico de gallo," prompting this re-check.
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23 February 1958, <i>Independent Star-News</i> (Pasadena, CA),  Scene section 
(story about Guadalajara, Mexico), pg. 29:
Ponder this near-fatal event and its historical repercussions over a  tequila 
chased by a "pico de gallo"  (orange, jicama fruit and small, red  and hot 
chile pepper) and the stern stuff of the Mexican Revolution will seem  real.
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(Oxford English Dictionary)
pico de gallo, n.
Chiefly U.S.  
[< Mexican Spanish pico de gallo a spicy Mexican relish, lit.  ‘cockerel's 
beak’ < Spanish pico (see _PICO-_ 
(http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/crossref?query_type=fulltext&queryword=pico+de&first=1&max_to_show=10&search_spec=fulltext&sor
t_type=alpha&search_id=ny3D-ANeyMp-7671&control_no=30005171&result_place=4&xre
fword=pico-&ps=comb.%20form)  comb.  form) + de _DE_ 
(http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/crossref?query_type=fulltext&queryword=pico+de&first=1&max_to_show=10&se
arch_spec=fulltext&sort_type=alpha&search_id=ny3D-ANeyMp-7671&control_no=30005
171&result_place=4&xrefword=de&ps=prep.)  prep. +  gallo cockerel (1207; < 
classical Latin gallus: see _GALLINE_ 
(http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/crossref?query_type=fulltext&queryword=pico+de&first=1&max_to_show=10&search_spec=fulltext
&sort_type=alpha&search_id=ny3D-ANeyMp-7671&control_no=30005171&result_place=4
&xrefword=galline&ps=adj.)  adj.).
It is uncertain why the  Spanish phrase should be used in this sense; one 
suggested explanation is that  this is due to the heat of the dish creating a 
painful sensation on the tongue,  similar to being pecked by a bird.]   
A Mexican salsa or salad, typically made with coarsely  chopped tomatoes, 
onions, lemon juice, chillies, and coriander, and served as an  accompaniment.  
1962  Los Angeles Times E17/1  (heading) Pico de Gallo (Comb of the Rooster). 
1970  Pomona (Calif.)  Progress-Bull. 20 Feb. B3/5 Mexican fried  rice, 
orange and cucumber salad called pico de gallo, and lemonade. 1991  Food & Wine 
Aug. 79/1 With  the addition of cilantro, it is known as pico de gallo, a 
popular, all-purpose salsa. 2002  Time Out N.Y. 25 Apr. 35/4  Jamaican-seasoned 
scallops with pico de gallo.

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