Discovering Words in the Kitchen

By Julian Walker

Throughout history, the English language has reflected social changes, trade routes, and waves of fashion. This book examines the histories of the names of foods, ingredients, utensils, drinks, cooking methods, and dishes to show how the vocabulary of English has reflected the ways speakers of the language have interacted with their tastes, their environment and other cultures.

250 words which have entered English over the past fifteen hundred years are examined, ranging from Old English adoptions from Latin via French, to U.S. adoptions from Chinese. Changes of spelling and meaning and disagreements about the history of the words are discussed, supported by references within the text to authoritative food historians and dictionary writers from Johnson and Webster to the most recent publications.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9780747813101

Julian Walker

Julian Walker is a social development practitioner, with a background in social anthropology and research interest related to urban spatial rights, gender and social identity. He is an Associate Professor at the Bartlett Development Planning Unit of University College London, where he is the Co-Programme Leader of the MSc Social Development Practice, the Director of the DPU's Training and Advisory Services, and the Director of the DPU's Gender Policy and Planning Programme.