Word of the Week – Macaroni

by | Jan 31, 2011 | Word of the Week

Yes, you read the title right. Today I’m bringing to you an enlightening treatise on the word “macaroni.” =)

Now, in my house “macaroni” is synonymous with “the most common food to be found, because it’s the only thing my kids are 100% guaranteed to eat.” But as with all things we take for granted, there was once a day when it was new. Rare. Fashionable, even.

Back in the 18th century, Italian foods were just beginning to make their way into British society, and they were all the rage. One of the most loved was macaroni–and it was so stylish a dish that an entire club was formed around the it. The Macaroni Club was quickly known for their dedication to fashion and style . . . a dedication which soon went into dandy-ism (which is to say, over the top).

At that point, “macaroni” became an adjective meaning something like “a style befitting a dandy.”

And so Yankee Doodle finally, FINALLY makes sense! Ever wonder why the dude in the song “stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni”? Well, there you go. He wasn’t calling the feather pasta, which was what I thought at age 6 when I learned the song (yes, I thought we were singing about some delusional guy, LOL), he was calling the hat stylish. Even dandy.

Only took me 22 years to figure THAT one out! =)

So enjoy your macaroni, folks. And know that back in the day, it was not just kids’ food.

Word of the Week – Pedestrian

by | Jan 24, 2011 | Word of the Week

While I’m far, far away from working on modern books, I thought I’d introduce a new feature on Mondays for now. Actually, I owe the idea to two Facebook friends, who responded to one of my word-nerd moments with the thought that I should do a word-a-day on my blog. The concept stuck with me and turned into once a week in my little brain.

So my first word of the week is . . .

Pedestrian.

Why, you ask? We all know what pedestrian means. We all know both its meanings. Sure.

But here’s the curiosity. Did you know (which you obviously do if you saw my Facebook status last Tuesday) that the meaning of pedestrian that means dull, prosaic predates the meaning of walking on foot/one who travels on foot?

I had no idea. I would have thought the walker definition came first, given that “pedestrian” is from peds, which means foot. But no. Apparently it came into being first in 1716 in reference to literature, which, if it was “of the foot” was therefore as opposite “of the mind” as a piece of writing could get, LOL. It was also well contrasted with “equestrian,” and we all know horses were considered a noble pursuit at the time. Hence why, by 1791, it took a literal turn.

See, you learned something. =) Come back next week for a fascinating look into the history of “macaroni.” 😉

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