 There are several interpretations for the origins of the name "speculaas".It may derive from Latin "speculum", which means mirror and refers to the fact that the images are cut as a mirrored bas-relief into a wooden stamp, which is then used to decorate speculaas.Another, less likely, word origin refers to the Latin word "speculator" which, among other meanings, could refer to a bishop or St Nicholas' epithet, "he who sees everything".