Because food is a basic necessity of life, words for food have probably been around since the first words were invented. The word food itself is an old word, related to fodder and comes from the Old English fodor which in turn came from the Germanic futter.
You may remember I’ve previously written about that useful German word futterneid (pronounced foot-a-nide) which means the wish that you had chosen what the person next to you had ordered from the menu, or the feeling when you’re eating with others (especially family) you’re not getting enough food yourself. Also related to food and fodder is the word forage ‘to search for food’, which in the past was a vital part of survival – whereas now we forage in the supermarket.
Many words for food have changed over the years.
The word for loaf comes from the Old English hlaf and the word lady comes from hlafdige ‘wife of a lord’ literally meaning ‘one who kneads bread’, obviously the main job of the lady of the house.
With the Norman invasion of Britain came an invasion of French vocabulary to add to the existing Anglo-Saxon words. The peasants already had the words sheep, ox and pig but the French names for the meat of these animals was introduced, ie mutton (mouton), beef (boeuf) and pork (porc). The reason for this was probably because the French-speaking nobles ordered their food in French, which was seen as classy and fashionable. After a successful hunt, the huntsmen would order la veneson, which is French for ‘the game we just hunted’ which is where our word venison for ‘deer meat’ comes from.
The word eat can be traced back to the German essen and before that to Latin edere and Greek edein. Words and expressions encourage diners to start eating include tuck in, bog in, hoe in, dig in, get stuck in! Food nearly always accompanies celebrations, and mealtimes are often the opportunity to catch up with family and friends.
You may have noticed that the theme of this month’s BIG is food and cooking. We have also taken the opportunity and remixed the ingredients of BIG to cook up a better magazine with fewer contests but better prize packs.
We’ve taken note of which competitions are popular with you and which are not and scoured your letters about BIG so we can give you more of what you tell us you like best.
We know you will love the two new contests, Wiz Words and the BIG Easy. Due to popular demand a second Acrostic has also been added.
You tell us you love crosswords so there are two more BIG Crosswords – one of them a BIG Tougher as a step between the ordinary BIGs and The Demon.
Thank you for all your feedback. You are helping us to produce the best possible variety of quality puzzles for you.
Remember: puzzles are a great way to relax at the same time as doing your brain a favour, so get your pen out and get started!
Happy Puzzling!
wondering where the word PABULUM, meaning “food for thought” comes from?
Hi Patricia
Pabulum comes from the Latin for ‘food’ or ‘substance that gives nourishment’, which could either be food or intellectual nourishment, ie food for thought.
It is derived from pascere ‘to feed’. Many of our English words can be traced back to Latin roots.
Thanks for your query, you obviously find words fascinating, as we do!
Christine