# Your weird names for food items **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379 "2025-04-22T21:16:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/101 "2025-04-28T15:16:25Z")
Bacon grease, mmmmmmmmmmm! 🥰 A much maligned and sadly underappreciated culinary delight! ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/102 "2025-04-28T16:52:09Z")
Part of the Kromex kitchen set. No Housier cabinet is complete without them [![](https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kromexcanistergreasejar.jpg) ](https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kromexcanistergreasejar.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/103 "2025-04-28T17:38:47Z")
Sorry - _Hoosier_ Cabinet [![](https://pursuitofhomemaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_6967-1-768x1024.jpg) ](https://pursuitofhomemaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_6967-1-768x1024.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/104 "2025-04-29T13:37:59Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > As background, you have to know that “beeyoop” was my dad’s jokey kid’s word for “fart.” Once my sister and I went away to camp for multiple weeks. At our first dinner back, our littlest sister, who had been too young to go, asked Dad to “please pass the beeyoops.” > > Dad handed her the bowl of pork and beans. My sister and I looked at each other. Then my sister said, “we obviously left her alone with him too long.” “Pumpernickel” is a funny-sounding word for a type of German bread. > [@](#): > > Contemporary English _pumpernickel_ is a [loanword](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loanword) from German _Pumpernickel_ (compare also German _Pompernickel_ and _Bompernickel_ ), referring to a black bread from Westphalia. The word is found in English language literature as early as 1738. Before its use to refer to the bread, the German word in use to mean ‘lout’ (and can later be found in southern German-speaking areas in use for ‘vivacious child’ or ‘small plump person or child’). The German word is constructed from two elements: Early modern German _pumper_ meaning ‘fart’ (recorded in 1558 in this sense) or ‘to knock, fall nosily’, from which the sense of ‘fart’ derived ([Middle High German](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_High_German) _pumpern_ ). The second element, _Nickel_ , is [pet form](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypocorism) of the name _Nikolaus_ .[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpernickel#cite_note-OED-1) An earlier word for the bread is attested in English as _cranck broat_ , meaning ‘sick bread’.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpernickel#cite_note-OED-1) Actually, my suspicion is that the word comes from “Goblin fart” (“Nickel” isn’t just a form of “Nicholas”, it can also mean “demon” or “goblin” – compare with the term “Old Nick” for “the devil”), which was, I suggest, a derogatory term for peasants, who ate bread of this sort. In any event, even if “Pumpernickel” derived from some similar-sounding word that had nothing to do with flatulence, the similarity in words would inevitably result in there being such an association. > **[Pumpernickel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpernickel)** > > Pumpernickel (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}English: /ˈpʌmpərnɪkəl/; German: \[ˈpʊmpɐˌnɪkl̩\] ⓘ) is a typically dense, slightly sweet rye bread traditionally made with sourdough starter and coarsely ground rye. It is sometimes made with a combination of rye flour and whole rye grains ("rye berries"). > At one time, it was traditional... Also, see here: > [@](#): > > ## pumpernickel(n.) > > “kind of coarse, dark rye bread made from unbolted rye,” c. 1740, _pumpernicle_, _pumpernickle_, from German (Westphalian dialect) _Pumpernickel_ (1663), originally an abusive nickname for a stupid person, from _pumpern_ “to break wind” + _Nickel_ “goblin, lout, rascal,” from the proper name _Niklaus_ (see [Nicholas](https://www.etymonline.com/word/Nicholas), and compare [Nick](https://www.etymonline.com/word/nick)). Originally it was eaten especially in Westphalia; an earlier German name for it was _krankbrot_, literally “sick-bread.” > **[Etymology of "pumpernickel" by etymonline](https://www.etymonline.com/word/pumpernickel)** > > "kind of coarse, dark rye bread made from unbolted rye," c. 1740, pumpernicle,… See origin and meaning of pumpernickel. Much longer discussion here: > **[The Devilish Origins of "Pumpernickel" : Word Routes : Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus](https://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/the-devilish-origins-of-pumpernickel/)** > > Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus: Word Routes - For the latest installment of the Slate podcast Lexicon Valley, I take a look at the peculiar history of the word pumpernickel — a kind of German bread with an origin that turns out to be downright devilish. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/105 "2025-04-29T14:45:06Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > That is hysterical - I love the beeyoop and beans story. If he was feeling whimsical, he’s draw it out to lean on the onomatopoeia. BEEeeeeeooooooop. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/106 "2025-04-29T14:56:42Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Over this side of the puddle the local bakery staple of the humble Vanilla Slice is ubiquitously referred to as a “Snot Block”. I am so glad you included a photo because I wouldn’t have known what a Vanilla Slice is but once I saw it I chortled. Snot Block is a very apt name!! (but not very appealing) The only example I can think of from my life is that my family always called “grilled cheese sandwiches” “toasted cheese.” Made sense, it was cheese on toasted bread. For some reason I will never forget the day I had to stand up in my 3rd grade class and read the lunch menu and I proudly proclaimed there was “toasted cheese” on the menu and all the kids laughed at me and said “WHAT THE HECK IS A TOASTED CHEESE?!” Ok fine, grilled cheese. I’ve known what the rest of the world calls it since 1989 now but for some reason I still find it to be a new-fangled term for toasted cheese. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/107 "2025-04-29T16:27:16Z")
I might have a new one. Yesterday I made a big pot of ham and bean soup with the ham bone from Easter. As I was scooping the leftovers into containers to go in the refrigerator or freezer, I couldn’t help but notice that the pot of soup looked like a big bucket of vomit. So “Bucket o’ Vomit” might just have to be my new name for ham and bean soup. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/108 "2025-04-29T21:20:00Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I feel “cheated” when a cookie has raisins instead of the chocolate chips I thought were there. [![](https://ravensreststudio.com/cdn/shop/products/fm41_card_in_mockup_2048_W_720x.jpg?v=1616356316) ](https://ravensreststudio.com/cdn/shop/products/fm41_card_in_mockup_2048_W_720x.jpg?v=1616356316) ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/109 "2025-04-29T23:04:17Z")
It’s also pretty bad when you’re wanting raisins and get stuck with chocolate chips. Not the same; not even close. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/110 "2025-04-29T23:22:01Z")
I call French toast “frog bread”. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/111 "2025-04-29T23:22:48Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > My mother used to make cinnamon rolls which she always called “barn doolies”. > [@Yllaria](#): > > Well, cow patties _are_ round. And cinnamon _is_ brown. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > There is a striking resemblance between a typical lumpy dark brown irregularly shaped but mostly flat apple fritter and a pile of animal dung. > [@SCAdian](#): > > Sounds like Salisbury steaks, as made by Navy cooks. We called them trail markers. A traditional nickname for donuts is “bear sign”. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/112 "2025-04-30T01:01:23Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > My mother used to make cinnamon rolls which she always called “barn doolies”. > > > [@Yllaria](#): > > > > Well, cow patties _are_ round. And cinnamon _is_ brown. > > > [@LSLGuy](#): > > > > There is a striking resemblance between a typical lumpy dark brown irregularly shaped but mostly flat apple fritter and a pile of animal dung. > > > [@SCAdian](#): > > > > Sounds like Salisbury steaks, as made by Navy cooks. We called them trail markers. > > A traditional nickname for donuts is “bear sign”. This conversation has been so interesting! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/113 "2025-04-30T19:02:03Z")
> [@Gr8Kat](#): > > My mom would fry up potatoes, ground beef, and eggs, and called it either slumgullion or graveyard hash. Had to be graveyard hash. Slumgullion is made with egg noodles, tomatoes, ground beef and canned mushrooms and I wish one of my sisters had saved the recipe when Mom passed. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/114 "2025-04-30T19:18:58Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Part of the Kromex kitchen set. No Housier cabinet is complete without them > > [https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kromexcanistergreasejar.jpg](https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/kromexcanistergreasejar.jpg) Ours weren’t as fancy as yours, but it does call to mind a bit by Alan King. _My mom used to put the bacon grease in the coffee canister and the coffee in the bacon grease canister. One morning she mixed them up and used the bacon grease in the percolator. Dad wouldn’t have noticed, except the toast kept sliding down his throat before he got a chance to chew it._ ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/115 "2025-04-30T23:49:23Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Had to be graveyard hash. Slumgullion is made with egg noodles, tomatoes, ground beef and canned mushrooms and I wish one of my sisters had saved the recipe when Mom passed. She called it both. She said she had a friend who called it graveyard hash. I don’t know where she got the name slumgullion. All I know is that it is neither. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379/116 "2025-05-01T00:26:38Z")
Nah, I’m just busting your chops. I get that _slumgullion_ can be applied to myriad forms of hot dish-type comfort foods. In high school, I knew a girl who used it to describe spaghetti with the meat sauce mixed in (as opposed to ladled over the top), something I knew as just _spaghetti_. I nearly stopped crushing on her for that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-weird-names-for-food-items/1017379.md?page=5)