# Hard or Soft Shells are equally valid for Tacos, Fuck your "Only soft shells are Authentic" bullshit **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 26, 2022, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249 "2022-09-26T10:49:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/221 "2024-06-11T15:45:35Z")
Well, Aussie’s put beetroot on burgers too, so their entire oeuvre is suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/222 "2024-06-11T16:44:23Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Was the salmon ground? Because if it’s not ground meat, it’s not a hamburger - it’s just a hot meat sandwich. Doesn’t it depend on how they serve them in Salmonburg? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/223 "2024-06-11T17:05:17Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > > [@kayaker](#): > > > > We had salmon burgers for dinner last night. I’m always just a tiny bit uncomfortable calling them burgers, but, hey, turkey burgers are a thing. > > Was the salmon ground? Because if it’s not ground meat, it’s not a hamburger - it’s just a hot meat sandwich. And that brings up the whole question of does meat include fish. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/224 "2024-06-11T17:11:03Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > And that brings up the whole question of does meat include fish. I think it does, because it’s still an animal’s flesh. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/225 "2024-06-11T17:24:37Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > This is a chicken burger in Australia because it’s served on a burger bun vs the American distinction being patty based. True in Ireland as well (based on the Try Channel on YouTube). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/226 "2024-06-11T17:27:18Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > And that brings up the whole question of does meat include fish. The answer to which depends on whether or not you are a practicing Catholic. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/227 "2024-06-11T17:44:46Z")
Are there any meatless days left any more? It’s been a looooooong time since I was a practicing Catholic (like since just after elementary school). When I was a kid (before there was a Taco Bell) we made our tacos at home. We used corn tortillas. First we softened them in little bit of the hot oil, then filled them with the beef mixture and fried until as crispy as we could get them in the skillet. Then we filled them with our choice of lettuce, tomato, cheese, and hot sauce. Onions were fried with the meat. If we were flush, we had avocados. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/228 "2024-06-11T17:52:34Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Imagine my confusion when a customer at the store asked me where the “burrito shells” were. I prefer to emulate President Camacho from _Idiocracy_ by calling them “burrito coverings.” ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/229 "2024-06-11T17:58:18Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Are there any meatless days left any more? It’s been a looooooong time since I was a practicing Catholic (like since just after elementary school). Yes. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and every Friday during Lent. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/230 "2024-06-11T17:58:57Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > > [@Pleonast](#): > > > > And that brings up the whole question of does meat include fish. > > I think it does, because it’s still an animal’s flesh. Yes, if that’s the connotation you’re using. Some people don’t include the flesh of fish. And some people include the flesh of nuts and certain fruits. None of those usages are wrong, just different. Similar to how shell can include or exclude soft outer coverings. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/231 "2024-06-11T18:07:56Z")
Are insects meat? I’ve eaten some delicious things containing cricket flour (including tortilla chips and believe it or not, chocolate chip cookies). Is an insect an animal? ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/232 "2024-06-11T18:54:21Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Is an insect an animal? I think you have torture the definition of “animal” pretty badly to not include insects (in my opinion). ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/233 "2024-06-11T18:58:06Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > I think you have torture the definition of “animal” pretty badly to not include insects (in my opinion). The trouble is that we use different terms in biological contexts than in culinary contexts. Things like whether or not avocados are fruits, or watermelons are berries. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/234 "2024-06-11T19:04:42Z")
I just can’t think of what else it would be, even culinarily; a nut? High in protein, and the flavor profile isn’t too far off (for any whole, roasted insects I’ve had anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/235 "2024-06-11T19:05:03Z")
“Animal” comes from the Latin word _animalis_, which means “having breath.” (_Anima_ being the word for “breath”). So, there’s a pretty strong argument right there that “animal” shouldn’t cover fish, and potentially, not insects, depending on how lung-centric you want to define “breathing.” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/236 "2024-06-11T19:05:31Z")
Ain’t it a bitch. I love my Tacos and it just ain’t the same in flour tortillas. Must endeavor to perservere. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/237 "2024-06-11T19:08:47Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > “Animal” comes from the Latin word _animalis_, which means “having breath.” (_Anima_ being the word for “breath”). So, there’s a pretty strong argument right there that “animal” shouldn’t cover fish, and potentially, not insects, depending on how lung-centric you want to define “breathing.” Great now we have fish that aren’t animals and fish that are (lungfish), and spiders and scorpions are animals but crickets are not… ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/238 "2024-06-11T19:19:32Z")
There was never an interpretation that whatever you ground up into “flour” therefore did not count as an animal: > **[Meat and bone meal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meat_and_bone_meal)** > > Meat and bone meal (MBM) is a product of the rendering industry. It is typically about 48–52% protein, 33–35% ash, 8–12% fat, and 4–7% water. It is primarily used in the formulation of animal feed to improve the amino acid profile of the feed. Feeding of MBM to cattle is thought to have been responsible for the spread of BSE (mad cow disease); therefore, in most parts of the world, MBM is no longer allowed in feed for ruminant animals. However, it is still used to feed monogastric animals.\[citati... > [@](#): > > Fee, fau, fum, > I smell the blood of an English man, > Be alive, or be he dead, > I’ll grind his bones to make my bread. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/239 "2024-06-11T20:52:46Z")
My dogs meat is most likely meat from some animal (it says beef products, I’m not gonna overthink it) But…I’m certainly not gonna put it on any taco shell(flour or corn) and eat it. Even though it smells pretty aang good. He eats bugs on occasions. He obviously thinks they’re food/protein/animal. Even the fire flys he was jumping up trying to catch last evening. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2024, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249/240 "2024-06-11T20:55:23Z")
My junior cat (the ex-stray) has been seen catching flies in mid-air (pretty sure they do get eaten), and he once came in from the patio with a dragonfly in his mouth (I took it, determined it had little to no chance of recovery, gave it a mercy flush). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-or-soft-shells-are-equally-valid-for-tacos-fuck-your-only-soft-shells-are-authentic-bullshit/972249.md?page=13)