The Spanish word 'crema' (meaning 'cream') comes from the French word 'crème', which has two fascinating ancient sources. One path traces back to the Gaulish word 'crama' (meaning 'cream'). The other path leads to the Greek word 'khrisma' (χρῖσμα), meaning 'anointing' or 'unction', which entered Latin as 'chrisma' with the same meaning. These two streams of meaning - the Gaulish dairy product and the Greek ceremonial anointing - merged in French 'crème' before being borrowed into Spanish as 'crema'. The connection between 'cream' and 'anointing' makes sense when you think about how cream can be spread or 'anointed' on surfaces, similar to ceremonial oils.

The Spanish word 'cremoso' (meaning 'creamy') is a common derivative of 'crema'. Another related word is 'cremería', which means 'dairy shop' or 'creamery'. These words form part of a family of dairy-related terms in Spanish that all stem from the same root.

English speakers will recognize the connection to the word 'cream', which shares the same French ancestor 'crème'. The English word 'chrism' (a consecrated oil used in Christian ceremonies) is also related, coming from the same Greek root 'khrisma'. The word 'cream' has developed many metaphorical uses in English, such as 'the cream of the crop', referring to the best of something, just as cream rises to the top of milk.