Finer etymologists believe the terms derive from an 18th - century proverb: «To sell the bear's skin before one has caught the bear.» (canadianbusiness.com)
As far as the spelling of the dish is concerned, etymologists tell us that there is enormous confusion about the terms that describe the Capsicums (chile peppers) and the recipes prepared with them. (fieryfoodscentral.com)
Still other etymologists lobby for an Arabic origin of the word, which may have arrived in Mexico via Moorish Spain. (discovermagazine.com)