First OED cite for the spelling “catsup” is Jonathan Swift, 1730. How he pronounced it, I doubt we’ll ever know.
What he put it on, however, is well-documented…!
Fred MacMurray used to introduce My Three Sons with “Welcome to our show for Heinz Cats-up,” which grated on my ear something fierce! I’m guessing that the confusion with “catch up” looked like it might become a problem, so two poor solutions were arrived at.
Ketchup.
First time in my life that I’ve seen Wade-Giles used as a verb. I’ll be pinyinning.
I spell it ketchup, but catsup is ok too.
Tomato Sauce
SDopers from the 1980’s will recall when Reagan’s Administration passed policy to make “ketchup” count as a veggie towards public school nutrition standards. It is here when “catsup” did not meet the Code, and hence all remaining brands loyal to “catsup” dropped the spelling. I wish I had a cite, but I read this in my research on things done under Reagan.
Oh, I think you can confirm this either on Heinz’ or Del Monte’s website. I think Del Monte because they used to always spell it “catsup”.
While you can find that “tidbit” on many food sites, it’s not true. Del Monte did change their spelling in the 1988-89 period though.
No: a moutarde is a retarded cow.
Hah!
I recall a “news item” on Saturday Night Live, back in the Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players era that one of the major brands was changing their spelling from catsup to ketchup.
The visual gag was showing the marquee of the musical “Cats” in NY now displaying “Ketch.”
Mmmm, Doughknot…
The most perfect purveyor of the substance spells it “ketchup,” so I do, too.
ketchup
The New Yorker’s take on the issue.
Interestingly, the primary name for the stuff at the FDA appears to be catsup. The specifications are part of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.