Elizabeth David in English Bread and Yeast Cookery. She writes,
It is interesting that these soft biscuits are common to Guernsey, and that the term biscuit as applied to a soft product was retained in these places, and in America, whereas in England it has completely died out
The etymology of the word comes from French and Latin, literally meaning “twice cooked”.
I come from the Channel Islands, I can tell you from experience that it’s not exactly a place of high education. I can also easily see them giving a two fingered salute to the French, as well as to the English on occassion.
But what the wonderfully pedantic Elizabeth David is saying is that this was a common term, even though etymologically incorrect because language evolves, and now it only exists in this form in Guernsey and the U.S.
Her book is fantastic if you are a bread geek, maybe even if you aren’t , or you’re looking for interesting, often forgotten local breads.
Yeah I have no problem with it being a common term, I just feel the need to point out it’s wrong hah. People say wrong things all the time colloquially, but they know it’s wrong.
Calling a cottage pie a shepherd’s pie is worse though, along with calling a wind turbine a windmill.
And Americans call savoury scones “biscuits” even though they’re not cooked twice.
“Most people” are wrong. Terminology exists for a reason. You made a cottage pie, you just didn’t know what you were making.
Don’t start.
It is interesting that these soft biscuits are common to Guernsey, and that the term biscuit as applied to a soft product was retained in these places, and in America, whereas in England it has completely died out
The etymology of the word comes from French and Latin, literally meaning “twice cooked”.
I come from the Channel Islands, I can tell you from experience that it’s not exactly a place of high education. I can also easily see them giving a two fingered salute to the French, as well as to the English on occassion.
But what the wonderfully pedantic Elizabeth David is saying is that this was a common term, even though etymologically incorrect because language evolves, and now it only exists in this form in Guernsey and the U.S.
Her book is fantastic if you are a bread geek, maybe even if you aren’t , or you’re looking for interesting, often forgotten local breads.
Yeah I have no problem with it being a common term, I just feel the need to point out it’s wrong hah. People say wrong things all the time colloquially, but they know it’s wrong.
Calling a cottage pie a shepherd’s pie is worse though, along with calling a wind turbine a windmill.
I will make a Windmill Pie and post it tomorrow. It will be very traditional with steak, lamb, kidney, and plenty of wind (I had beans today).
I’m all for that. Make the cheese look like solar panels for added effect.