In re is a Latin phrase which means, among other things, “concerning” (from “in the matter of”). Its use has been bastardized in letter and memo writing by dropping the preposition and using the noun as if it were the whole prepositional phrase, as “Re:”. You’ll note that Merriam-Webster OnLine list “re” and “in re” as synonymous. This misusage is not uncommon among English speaking people with foreign words or phrases (my current favorite is the use of au jus as a noun, as in, “I’d like some au jus with that sandwich.”).
Before one attempts to “nitpick” it probably helps to fully understand the use of a term. As an attorney, I used “In re” multiple times, usually in the caption of a petition, e.g.: “In re Estate of Kent” or “In re: Marriage of Taylor.”
Not that I quite understand how “in re” became a subject in this thread…
well, this is an intersting new experience.
cecil, thanks you for speaking about food, such as it is. it was great that you point out the obvious, if you want to be sure of your food, go to the farm. i could not agree more.
i raise pastured poultry, which is becoming more well known, and was a bit surprised you did not mention it.
as far as the difference in taste, as dr. phlox once said ‘medically speaking there is no accounting for taste.’
however, there is a significant tactile difference in my chickens and eggs. for instance, if you crack a raw egg into a bowl, you can put a fork in the egg white and lift the whole thing out of a bowl. any pastry chef would know the difference right away.
what i am leading up to here is a question for cecil. actually it was touched upon indirectly in the column. could you please give a history on mechanical evisceration and name the inventor? the whole fecal soup thing is central to this, and i think the readers are ready to hear about it!
btw-
there is a fun web video about factory farming i just saw, called ‘the meatrix.’ it might provide some entertainment for this message board; not that crisco is not funny.
“Animals for slaughter must be raised under organic management from the last third of gestation, or no later than the second day of life for poultry. Producers are required to feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements. Producers may convert an entire, distinct dairy herd to organic production by providing 80 percent organically produced feed for 9 months, followed by 3 months of 100 percent organically produced feed. Organically raised animals may not be given hormones to promote growth, or antibiotics for any reason. Preventive management practices, including the use of vaccines, will be used to keep animals healthy. Producers are prohibited from withholding treatment from a sick or injured animal; however, animals treated with a prohibited medication may not be sold as organic. All organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants. They may be temporarily confined only for reasons of health, safety, the animal’s stage of production, or to protect soil or water quality.”
While I know what people mean when they talk about “organic foods” and I know there are rules that indicate when a food can be called “organic”, whoever originally thought up that term made a poor choice of words. ALL the food that we it is organic! At least, I don’t make it a practice to eat plastic, rocks, paper clips, etc.
Gee, akrako1, I know what “they” say “organic” means. I just say they’re misusing the term. Its merely for fear passification of the “Chicken Little” folk.
