Catsup? What cat would want to eat it?

I said, "P.S. Why do they spell it catsup? I know few cats who would like the stuff."

TC replied, "P. S. S. And if they don't spell it this way: "c a t s u p" and spell it this way instead: "k e t c h u p" doesn't it sound like you're saying you are trying to "catch up" to someone? And what does that have to do with a red, tomatoey, licquid sauce anyway??"

We've gotten a fun conversation started in the roundup forum, but I don't want to hijack the thread. So...I started this one. This is kinda fun stuff, if you're into etymology (word origins).

http://www.etymonline.com/k1etym.htm

ketchup - 1711, from Malay kichap, from Chinese (Amoy dial.) koechiap "brine of fish." Catsup (earlier catchup) is a failed attempt at Anglicization, still in use in U.S. Originally a fish sauce, early English recipes included among their ingredients mushrooms, walnuts, cucumbers, and oysters. Modern form of the sauce began to emerge when U.S. seamen added tomatoes.

And I was a seaman once too. ;~)

Edited to add this:

hijack - 1923, Amer.Eng., from high(way) + jacker "one who holds up." Originally "to rob (a bootlegger, smuggler, etc.) in transit;" sense of "seizing an aircraft in flight" is 1968 (also in 1961 variant skyjack), extended 1970s to any form of public transportation.

Now, what does the above have to do with stealing a thread?

TC...

This message was edited Aug 26, 2004 11:17 PM

Hmmm...Guess what folks...

Growing up as a child (course now, isn't that when we are ALL growing up?) I remember in our household my mother didn't cook so well.

Because of that, over time my brothers and I learnt to "kvetchup". When we exercised that right, some of our visiting relatives would pass the Heinz bottle but our immediate family would simply shake their heads back and forth...they knew we were "complaining loudly and would keep it up" until we were acknowledged!

kvetchup...for some reason the spelling seems to have changed over time. :>)

That's great, Shoe!

And now, a word from our sponsor: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/20031227/scripts/ketchup.shtml

Hah!!!...I luv that, GW!

" Ketchup contains natural mellowing agents that help you get over the post-holiday blues. And its festive red color really brightens up almost any dish."

I'm gonna go buy a case of it! :>)

Larousse Gastronomique , The encyclopedia of Food, Wine, & Cookery, Published in France in 1938 and after three years of tranlating to English, was finally published in English - first know dictionary of cookery.

They simply say Tomato Casup/Ketchup is of English origin - can anyone guess why? LOL

Joy of Cooking was first published in 1931; it is also a good book but not as complete and all encompassing as the French one.

Joy says "This condiment originated in Malaysia and its name derives from the native work for "taste". No other as familiar an American food seems to have so many variations in spelling"

I guess catsup/ketchup are like Peking /Beijing. We don't have quite the same sounds in English as they have in Chinese, so any spelling would just be someone's best approximation of how the word sounds.

Amen, Kelli

Here use both... for us most use say catsup.

My son uses barbeque sauce the same way. If he doesn't like it or if its the least bit bland--barbeque sauce is the answer. My Italian husband is horrified. Food is... well, food is....everything to an Italian ;) It's sacred and you just don't put barbeque sauce on it.

Howie's the king of hot sauce. He puts it on just about everything I make...Not sure if that's a response to my cooking or his love of spice! ;)

Recipe for "Soul Sardines" from the '70s. Open a can of cheap sardines. The kind with about 4 large ones. Add salt and pepper and liberal dose of Tobasco. Consume with cheap malt liquor. These days I admit to buying fancy sardines and better beer. Frank

Frank, I'm in the "skinless and boneless" sardines group. Too bad they are so hard to find packed in olive oil anymore. I love them on saltines.

You can have the beer, though.

My mom used to make my brother go to the barn to eat his sardines ;)

About cats and catsup -- In the "What do you do about spiders" thread next door in General Discussion, George, Judithl and Bluespiral have hit upon a catsup gourmand's solution to the price of cat food. Judithl's audio-contribution to the feast is a particularly nice touch, considering how, in some faraway, exotic places, it is quite rude not to let rip with a sonorous belch. Y'all are such great cooks over here, how 'bout a little "fine tuning" to this recipe and any pertinent etiquette?

This message was edited Sep 29, 2004 12:00 PM