Food Terms We Loathe/Misuse

[tryska]

mmm...i kinda like btw, imo, and ymyv. as well as lol and lmao. i don't think that's quite what u r getting at, tho, huh? ;-)

[ruthcooks]

This topic was inspired by a quote by JAZ in the TV Food Phraseology thread:

Can't stand Rachel's "veggies," either -- but that term makes my skin crawl when anyone uses it.

I don't like that one either, too cutesy for words. Here are some others I can't stand:

"scratch"

The first time someone asked me if I "made it from scratch" I didn't know what the hell they meant. When it was explained to me I was offended because I make everything from scratch and wouldn't consider making something from a box or mix.

"smoking" when you mean "steaming"

Novelists who don't know a lot about cooking are always saying this. If you've just pulled a sweet potato from hot coals it may be smoking, but other wise the correct word is steaming.

"munching"

The dictionary says this word means "to chew vigorously and steadily; to chew noisily" but to me, munching means continous and mindless chewing of small bits of things, like popcorn or peanuts. People often misuse this word as a synonym for eating. Whatever it means, I "eschew" it, and it's companion "munchies".

What food/cooking words offend you?

[Gifted Gourmet]

Well, just for a start, "cukes" ...

[NulloModo]

Cukes sounds way to much like 'puke'.

The only one that really gets to me though is overuse of the word 'yum' and turning it into other crazy words like 'yummilicious' or 'yummalummadingdong'. I have no idea why, it is just an unjustified personal pet peeve ;).

[Andrew Fenton]

delicious

Is there a blander, more boring word to describe food? I think not.

[tryska]

nullomodo?

how do you feel about yumerrific and yumtastic?

[maggiethecat]

If I see much more one-step-above-Wonder bread labelled "artisan" I might take a peel to the bakery stand.

[Andrew Fenton]

If I see much more one-step-above-Wonder bread labelled "artisan" I might take a peel to the bakery stand.

Word to that. Or, worse, "artisanal".

[cakewalk]

Actually the word "verboten" still makes me shudder.

But aside from that, the word "gourmet" is right up there with "artisan" at this point. I always expect something special and unknown to me (which is really not hard), but I walk into these "gourmet" shops and see the same old stuff all the time.

I get annoyed at the word "munchkins" when people mean "donut holes." Did Dunkin' Donuts do that? Really obnoxious.

[McDuff]

shrooms

[cakewalk]

shrooms

Yes. Definitely.

[ludja]

"atkins friendly"

[ludja]

Actually the word "verboten" still makes me shudder.

???

[Verjuice]

Garlicky. Also: yummy. Got any goodies in the house? And delish. Okay, I use that one on occasion.

Edited July 13, 2004 by Verjuice (log)

[NulloModo]

Actually the word "verboten" still makes me shudder.

Although it isn't quite as over-used as uber-(whatever) is these days.

[tryska]

i blame the use of "uber-" on x-files.

i also agree on the atkins thing.....if i see "low-carb" especially on some sort of grain product i pitch a fit on the inside.

(but i also do this when i see cal-mag tabs so i'm just generally high-strung that way)

[hjshorter]

shrooms

I don't object to someone using ''shrooms", but I would be expecting some interesting after effects.

[Pickles]

I agree with all of the above, and most likely what will be below me. I hate "yummy"...so why the hell do I say it all the time? It irks me when Sara Mouton says it because it's so childlike. I also dislike "Za" for "pizza" and...UGH...."Sketti" for "spaghetti." We is all gwown ups isn't we?

[JPW]

DO NOT call sparkling wine from OUTSIDE the eponymous region in northern France "Champagne"

Along those lines, I hate the term "bubbly" when refering to the same.

[formerly grueldelux]

I get the willies from "sammie" and especially "sammitch," sorry to say. And everyone should know that taters are spuds.

[phaelon56]

I get the willies from "sammie" and especially "sammitch," sorry to say. And everyone should know that taters are spuds.

I'm in complete agreement on "sammitches" except I always call potatoes byb their ful name (but I'm formal that way).

"All natural" kills me. Hoa about "Part natural"? Why not? I'm also a bit tired of gnoshing and grazing. There must be a batter way to describe that activity. Isn't grazing what farm animals do?

[tryska]

nibbling?

and yes....sammitch is irksome.

[tommy]

judging by the entries, i must be the most annoying person on egullet.

although i find the misuse of "champagne" annoying. not on a personal level, but restaurants should know better.

Edited July 13, 2004 by tommy (log)

[Pickles]

I'm pretty sure I have to edit all my posts now. I think I've said "garlicky" and "sammich."

[Artichoke]

People who say EVOO instead of extra virgin olive oil, seriously, what the hell is that? Rachel Ray is the chief culprit, add it to her long list of annoyances.

"Foodie" I loath it when someone refers to me with that term. I am passionate about food, I do not need a label to identify that fact. Plus, it lumps me in with a whole crowd of people who love to prance around with that term on their sleeve and who I would not want to be associated with.

"Foam" I never got and I never will.

"Fusion" Will that please die already.