Legend has it that the Ursuline nuns developed the hushpuppy in the early 1700s. Native Americans gave the nuns some cornmeal, which the nuns converted into a delicious fritter called croquettes de maise. The name hushpuppy came about when an old Creole cook was frying a batch of catfish and croquettes. His hungry dogs began to howl in anticipation of a chance to savor some of the catfish. The innovative Creole instead tossed a few of the croquettes de maise to the dogs and yelled, "Hush, puppies!" The name has since been associated with this cornmeal delicacy.