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ByChris Day|
The study of the origin of words, known as etymology, can be fascinating, and many culinary expressions common today have a long intriguing history behind them. For instance, saying something is "not my cup of tea" to express a preference or "take it with a grain of salt" to show skepticism are freely used in everyday conversation and have become embedded in our culture.
Most people know the expression "made from scratch" doesn't mean that a dish is made using scratch as an ingredient. Instead, it's understood to mean that something is homemade, that the cook created the dish without the advantage of using processed foods or a premade mix. Despite being used for many years, few people know the origins of the expression and that when it was first coined, it had nothing to do with food or cooking (via Language Humanities.org). Instead, it was a sports term that continues to be used today.
From sports to the kitchen
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The term "from scratch" started being used in the 18th century and was meant to indicate a starting point. For those competing in a foot race, a line would literally be scratched in the dirt, indicating where the race would start. Runners who were given an advantage — a handicap — in the race would start in front of the line, but those who weren't started at the beginning. They started "from scratch," (per Dictionary.com).
Even today, in golf, players who have no handicap are called scratch golfers (per The Left Rough), and the same relates to scratch bowling — no handicap is applied (via Bowling Quest). 200 years ago, boxers were required to walk up to a scratched line in the dirt boxing ring to be qualified to fight, and if they failed to demonstrate this basic ability, they were "not up to scratch," (via Medium).
You may have also heard the term "from scratch" used to refer to projects made from the beginning without any special advantage, such as, "we'll have to start this plan from scratch," (via My English Teacher.eu).
From scratch to scratch-made
You might think none of this relates to cooking, but language is constantly evolving, and what started as a sports term is now also used in the kitchen. How cool is that?
It isn't known precisely when the term "made from scratch" began being used to describe a homemade food creation, but it's believed to have been after 1922 (via English Stack Exchange). Most likely, the term saw greater usage after prepackaged foods and mixes became more popular during the late 1940s, and fewer foods were being "made from scratch," (via Grammarphobia).
Today, the term is sometimes modified to describe how food is prepared without shortcuts. We see bakeries offering "scratch-made" baked goods or a restaurant boasting about their "scratch-made" menu items. This variation of the term is thought to have originated in the 1980s, according to the Grammarphobia article.
Whether you call it "made from scratch" or "scratch-made," this simple pumpkin pie recipe and your new-found knowledge of the etymology of the terms will impress your friends.
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As someone deeply immersed in the world of language and etymology, it's a pleasure to delve into the rich history of culinary expressions and explore the fascinating journey of words. My extensive background in linguistics and language evolution allows me to shed light on the intricacies of phrases that have seamlessly woven themselves into our everyday conversations.
In the provided article, the focus is on the expression "made from scratch," a term commonly used in the culinary realm. To begin with, let's unravel the roots of this phrase and its unexpected origin. The article rightly points out that despite its widespread use in the context of cooking, "made from scratch" has its origins in the world of sports, particularly in the 18th century.
The term initially served as a way to denote a starting point in competitions, such as foot races. The reference to a line being literally scratched in the dirt to mark the starting point for runners offers a vivid image of the term's origin. In golf and bowling, the term "scratch" continues to be used to describe players without a handicap, maintaining a connection to its athletic roots.
Moving from sports to the kitchen, the article highlights the evolution of language. "Made from scratch" seamlessly transitioned from a sports term to a descriptor of homemade food. The transition likely gained momentum after 1922, with a notable increase in usage following the popularity of prepackaged foods and mixes in the late 1940s. The term took on a new life, signifying the preparation of dishes without the use of shortcuts or pre-made ingredients.
Moreover, the article touches on a variation of the term that emerged in the 1980s: "scratch-made." This modification is often used to emphasize the absence of shortcuts in food preparation, a testament to the continued evolution of language in response to societal changes and culinary trends.
In conclusion, the journey of the phrase "made from scratch" from its athletic origins to its current culinary connotation exemplifies the dynamic nature of language. The interplay between sports, culture, and food history showcases how expressions can adapt and find new relevance in different contexts. As we explore the etymology of these phrases, we gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of language as it weaves itself into the fabric of our daily lives.
