Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day: The Delightful History of Food Language

by Judith Tschann Narrated by Alejandra Reynoso

Overview

Discover how the*food we love shapes*the*language we use in this sharp, laugh-out-loud story of the etymology of food words.

All food has a story, reaching as far back into history as language itself. Throughout time, as languages followed and reflected the tides of civilizations, food language came to represent some of the highs and lows of how humans communicate: from the highbrow "Chateauneuf du Pape," which must be pronounced with a healthy dose of snootiness; to the giggle-inducing yet delicious "nun's farts" of Jamaica (also known as "beignets"); to the fascinating travels of the word "coffee" across centuries and continents, attesting to the undying and unifying allure this drink holds for us. From Spam to amuse-bouches, ciabatta to kombucha, Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day reveals the delightful history and stories behind the words we use for the foods we love.
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In Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day, linguist Tschann takes us on a journey from the vineyards of Avignon to the shores of Tahiti to the port of Mocha on the Red Sea coast to explore the history of the*history of the words we use for the food we eat. Chock full of linguistic did-you-knows and delectable trivia, this*is your go-to gift for history buffs, crossword fiends, and Scrabble diehards. This is the surprising and sometimes hilarious history of food, told through the lens of the fascinating evolution of language.

All food has a story, reaching as far back into history as language itself. Throughout time, as languages followed and reflected the tides of civilizations, food language came to represent some of the highs and lows of how humans communicate: from the highbrow "Chateauneuf du Pape," which must be pronounced with a healthy dose of snootiness; to the giggle-inducing yet delicious "nun's farts" of Jamaica (also known as "beignets"); to the fascinating travels of the word "coffee" across centuries and continents, attesting to the undying and unifying allure this drink holds for us. From Spam to amuse-bouches, ciabatta to kombucha, Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day reveals the delightful history and stories behind the words we use for the foods we love.
*
In Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day, linguist Tschann takes us on a journey from the vineyards of Avignon to the shores of Tahiti to the port of Mocha on the Red Sea coast to explore the history of the*history of the words we use for the food we eat. Chock full of linguistic did-you-knows and delectable trivia, this*is your go-to gift for history buffs, crossword fiends, and Scrabble diehards. This is the surprising and sometimes hilarious history of food, told through the lens of the fascinating evolution of language.

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2023 - AudioFile

This brief but delightful audiobook showcases gifted narrator Alejandra Reynoso. The production is a treasury of food lore, particularly its language. Reynoso smoothly manages the audiobook’s accents—Spanish, Latin, and Greek. She has a lovely voice and establishes just the right tone and cadence for a global journey centered on food ways. The author, an English professor with an interest in linguistics, shares stories from around the globe. Listeners who are interested in the origin of the fine French wine Chateau Neuf de Pape or how the orange, the fruit, gave its name to the color, or the iterations of the word “carrot” will enjoy this witty listening experience. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

" ...a fascinating history of how we eat and cook."—Kim Severson, The New York Times

"If you’ve ever paused mid-sip to wonder about the origins of your piping hot coffee or pondered the etymological roots of the word 'pastrami,' former English professor Judith Tschann has some very fun answers. Tschann joyfully explores our daily food rituals, from breakfast spreads to boozy nightcaps, parsing the language we use to talk about what we eat and drink, and why. Along the way, she unearths surprising origin stories and twisty verbal evolutions. The result is a truly delightful smorgasbord of history and linguistics that kept us entertained—and made us hungry."—Apple Books

"Accomplished medievalist Tschann turns her linguistic skills to sussing out the origins of all manner of food-related words... Tschann's approach is lighthearted, but her aim is serious."

—Booklist

"I will never look at my breakfast the same way again!"—Sarah Lohman, author of Eight Flavors

"Scrumptious... This book was meant to be devoured."—Roy Peter Clark, author of Murder Your Darlings

"Every page feels like a journey of discovery..."—marthastewart.com

"A literary feast for people curious about the history of food names and word nerds in general...an informative and humorous stroll through words."—The Marketplace

MARCH 2023 - AudioFile

This brief but delightful audiobook showcases gifted narrator Alejandra Reynoso. The production is a treasury of food lore, particularly its language. Reynoso smoothly manages the audiobook’s accents—Spanish, Latin, and Greek. She has a lovely voice and establishes just the right tone and cadence for a global journey centered on food ways. The author, an English professor with an interest in linguistics, shares stories from around the globe. Listeners who are interested in the origin of the fine French wine Chateau Neuf de Pape or how the orange, the fruit, gave its name to the color, or the iterations of the word “carrot” will enjoy this witty listening experience. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174971752
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	02/21/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged

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