Stop using these food words

April 2, 2016 by
 |  7 Comments  |  Leave Comment

eyeglasses on bookIn every industry, buzzwords and catchphrases come and go, and food is no exception. Sometimes these terms have sticking power, but usually they fall in and out of favor faster than you can say “Bam!”. A few sayings are fondly remembered, but many times words and phrases can’t leave the lexicon soon enough. Keep that thought in mind as you read the list of 21 words that The Kitchn says we should stop using – now.

Topping the list is a word that many of us have grown to loathe – foodie. The Kitchn calls it the “worst food word crime of them all”. (The only trick to getting rid of it is finding a substitute on which we can all agree.) This is followed by ‘za (short for pizza), the first of several abbreviations or shortcuts. Really, is it too much effort to squeeze out one more syllable? Many of the words may be age-limited – I have a difficult time picturing anyone over the age of 25 using the word sammie for sandwich.

Turning to catchphrases, the first of what The Kitchn describes as “Food Phrases With No Juice Left in Them” is “cooked to perfection.” Other tired phrases include “a party in your mouth” and “jazz up”. I haven’t heard most of those phrases in quite some time; I’m either hanging out with people ahead of or greatly behind the curve.

The comments section yields another crop of words and phrases that readers find particularly annoying. Topping this list is the shortcut term “veggies”, along with “clean” and “artisanal”. (One commenter linked to a story about a bar that is charging an extra $1 for ‘artisanal’ ice cubes!) There was a bit of disagreement amongst readers on a few of the selections, especially “mouthfeel” and “depth of flavor”, with proponents of both saying they were descriptive enough to be useful.

I’m in agreement with those who think “artisanal” is used much too frequently. What words or sayings would you add to the list?

Category: Antipasto

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7 Comments

  • Foodycat  on  April 3, 2016

    Definitely agree about "yummy" unless you are 5.

    "Melt in the mouth" and "with a twist" (unless you are ordering a martini) I think can go too.

  • darcie_b  on  April 3, 2016

    ^^Yes, "with a twist" has got to go.

  • IngridO  on  April 3, 2016

    I read the article on The Kitchn's web site, and considering the comments there were started a year ago, I don't think the message has been heard by the wider population. I have to agree the phrase "Cooked to perfection" has become meaningless through it's overuse.

  • annmartina  on  April 5, 2016

    anything-crafted: chef-crafted, hand-crafted, kitchen-crafted

  • Bloominanglophile  on  April 5, 2016

    I don't mind "yummy" as much as I do "yummo". A person near and dear to me has used it a few times, and it always sets my teeth on edge!

  • Foodfann  on  April 5, 2016

    I would second the previous comment and add: any word or phrase coined or popularized by Rachel Ray. Also detest "foodie".

  • Mrs_MG  on  April 29, 2016

    What about umami? Or is that the same as yummy?

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