The Language of Food: A Linguist Reads the Menu

A 2015 James Beard Award Finalist: "Eye-opening, insightful, and huge fun to read." --Bee Wilson, author ofConsider the Fork

Publisher Marketing: Writing with knowledge and wit, Dan Jurafsky shows that the language of food reflects our desires and aspirations, whether it's on a fancy French menu or a bag of potato chips.--Bee Wilson, author of Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat Marc Notes : Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-227) and index. Table of Contents : Introduction -- 1. How to Read a Menu -- 2. EntrEe -- 3. From Sikbaj to Fish and Chips -- 4. Ketchup, Cocktails, and Pirates -- 5. A Toast to Toast -- 6. Who Are You Calling a Turkey? -- 7. Sex, Drugs, and Sushi Rolls -- 8. Potato Chips and the Nature of the Self -- 9. Salad, Salsa, and the Flour of Chivalry -- 10. Macaroon, Macaron, Macaroni -- 11. Sherbet, Fireworks, and Mint Juleps -- 12. Does This Name Make Me Sound Fat? -- Why Ice Cream and Crackers Have Different Names -- 13. Why the Chinese Don't Have Dessert -- Epilogue -- Notes -- References -- Acknowledgments -- Image Credits -- Index. Review Quotes : Delightful. The distinguished linguist Dan Jurafsky brings a battery of skills to reveal the far-flung links of many of our dishes, to reveal how potato chip advertisements work, and to give an insider's guide to reading menus. I couldn't put this book down.--Rachel Laudan, author of Cuisine and Empire: Cooking in World History Review Quotes : [Jurafsky's] brilliant achievement is to weave together the journey food makes through culture with the journey its name makes through language.--Peter Sokolowski "New York Times Book Review" Review Quotes : Dan Jurafsky has taken on the subject with scholarship, wit, and charm, making The Language of Food a very engaging book.--Mark Kurlansky, author of Cod and Paper Review Quotes : Mix equal parts fascinating history, surprising etymology, and brilliant linguistic analysis, add a generous dollop of humor, and savor The Language of Food . You'll never think of ketchup, French fries, fish and chips, or toast in the same way.--Deborah Tannen, author of the #1 bestseller You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation Review Quotes : Fresh and insightful...The complexities of language, intertwined with the endless combinations of ingredients and the rich history of eating, make for a rich and rewarding read.--Matthew Tiffany "Minneapolis Star Tribune" Publisher Marketing :

Format: Paperback | Pages: 256 | Publication Date: 2015-10-13