What do I need another food dictionary for, you might ask? I already have the Food Lover’s Companion by Sharon Tyler Herbst, and she ROCKS.
She does rock. No question. But let’s see what she has to say about cannibals:
Actually, she seems to have forgotten to include an entry for cannibals. Tsk, tsk, tsk. But not Barry Foy. Let’s see his definition:
“Cannibal: A person who engages in the culinary equivalent of incest, that is, a hunter-gatherer who hunts and gathers other hunter-gatherers, usually while they are out gathering, because they tend to be less alert at that time than when they are out hunting. Cannibals often consume particular parts in hopes of magically improving their own corresponding parts. For example, a warrior might eat an admired rival’s heart so as to increase the boldness of his own heart. In a similar spirit, he might make a meal of his neighbor’s nubile and attractive wife.”
I’m sorry, what were we talking about?
Oh yeah, buying this book. If you know anyone who loves food, or hates food, or has a love/hate relationship with food, then this is the book for them.
I’ll leave you with one more to ponder:
“Love: The universal nutrient, adaptable to all human cuisines. This affordable, easy-to-use substance enhances the nutritional value of virtually any dish. Dissolved easily in water, wine, milk, oil, gravy, mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade), soy sauce, lard, ghee, or even Vegemite, it can be added either during or after food preparation and has an extremely long shelf life. Significantly, love’s beneficial effects operate without regard to the skill level of the cook; in fact, many people look back fondly on dishes—sometimes whole meals—in which love was the only appealing or even palatable ingredient. Best of all, love does not stain saucepans or kitchen countertops.”
Barry Foy's right. Only love can make Vegemite palatable.
Posted by: Bentoist | September 07, 2008 at 01:47 AM
The Devil's Food Dictionary is available in book form?!
Crap. I have to go revise my Amazon.com shopping list again.
Posted by: adele | September 07, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Barry says "love", but what he really means is "bacon".
Posted by: sunny12 | September 08, 2008 at 10:11 AM
This posting is riddled with inaccuracies. Tammy, I want my five dollars back.
Posted by: Barry Foy | September 09, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Barry Foy: Are you kidding me? That's my whole bike fund?
Sunny12: I see you and I have the same secret decoder ring.
Adele: Just when we thought life couldn't get any more exciting!
Bentoist: I have yet to experience the disgustingness of Vegemite. May love never lead me down that path.
Posted by: Tammy | September 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM