Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day: The Delightful History of Food Language
Judith Tschann Food & words—we rely on both to sustain our daily lives. We begin each morning hungry for nourishment & conversation, & our happiest moments & fondest memories are often filled with ample servings of both.
Food historian Judith Tschann celebrates this glorious intersection of linguistic & culinary affinities with Romaine Wasn't Build in a Day, an irresistibly charming & deliciously decadent romp through the
history of food words. On the hunt for the hidden stories behind hundreds of dishes & ingredients we take for granted, Tschann takes us on an expedition through the centuries & around the world, illuminating the ways in which language is always changing, ever-amusing, & entirely inseparable from culture, history, identity, & such as:
- ° pumpernickel, which literally means "Farting Nicholas"
- ° the surprising linguistic connection between alcohol & eyeliner
° and the fascinating travels of the word coffee across centuries & continents, attesting to the enduring allure of a cuppa joe
Full of endless morsels of fascination for word nerds & foodies alike, Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day will beguile history buffs, captivate crossword fiends, satiate Scrabble nerds, & feed our fondness for our two favorite pastimes: eating & talking.
Judith Tschann is professor emerita at the University of Redlands, where she taught medieval studies. She was the recipient of the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship & the Mortar board Professor of the Year Award. She lives in Redlands, California, with her husband.