Argh - Language Sins in Cookery
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 12:04 pm
I generally just pass over ignorance when I see it - God knows that you'd have a full time job correcting spelling in this day of texting shortcuts - while I do think that the youth who frankly don't give a damn about proper grammar and spelling should be tied to a blackboard and made to write correct sentences before being given back their cellphones, it really isn't worth the adrenalin and bile to worry about it.
Once in awhile I do see some usage that offends me to the degree that I seek spiritual lavage via posting my indignation on a group that may care about such things, and thus I appear before you here, today.
The one that set me off was two separate instances of a supposedly knowledgeable food professional using the term 'au jus' (usually mispronounced, but that I can forgive) as a noun rather than a preparation/serving method. As in "I liked the taste of his au jus".
Now beef au jus is simply beef served with 'its own juice' - usually a seasoned beef juice, often with wine. So the correct terminology would of course be "I liked the taste of the jus", not the 'au jus'.
Would anyone tasting the chicken in an arroz con pollo say 'I liked the taste of the con pollo'? Or anyone eating bacon and eggs say "Man, those 'and eggs' are good."
I have even seen menus that included an item called 'Beef with au jus'.
I know that I am micturating into the wind here and that few may care about language, but at least I feel better now. Thank you!
Once in awhile I do see some usage that offends me to the degree that I seek spiritual lavage via posting my indignation on a group that may care about such things, and thus I appear before you here, today.
The one that set me off was two separate instances of a supposedly knowledgeable food professional using the term 'au jus' (usually mispronounced, but that I can forgive) as a noun rather than a preparation/serving method. As in "I liked the taste of his au jus".
Now beef au jus is simply beef served with 'its own juice' - usually a seasoned beef juice, often with wine. So the correct terminology would of course be "I liked the taste of the jus", not the 'au jus'.
Would anyone tasting the chicken in an arroz con pollo say 'I liked the taste of the con pollo'? Or anyone eating bacon and eggs say "Man, those 'and eggs' are good."
I have even seen menus that included an item called 'Beef with au jus'.
I know that I am micturating into the wind here and that few may care about language, but at least I feel better now. Thank you!