“Etiquette” Origins in Pantry

Some believe that it may stem from the Greek word Etichos meaning rank; others, that it may derive from a Latin legal phrase.

FROM PENNY’S PANTRY: The origins of the word etiquette is obscure. Some believe that it may stem from the Greek word Etichos meaning rank; others, that it may derive from a Latin legal phrase. The immediate origin is French. Etiquettes were tickets placed on packages and legal documents to indicate contents. Later they were written instructions for behavior in the presence of royalty. In time the word came to stand for behavior. 

Historically, the origin of table etiquette is found in the pre-historic age. Table manners were born when man began to eat together, and they have been struggling to survive ever since. The table manners we use today have been a long time in production, centuries as a parallel development of the widespread adoption of individual appointments.

Henry VII is responsible for the baker's dozen. He ordered bakers who sold underweight loaves to be beheaded; so to save their necks they started adding an extra loaf to an order of 12.

Pilgrim women, being English ladies, had an English liking for preserved and stewed fruit. They cooked wild red berries in water, added sweetening and called it cranberry sauce.— By Penny Gardner P.D. Food Editor Press Democrat, 1963

Reminder: We have a free webinar on Dining According to Hollywood and Dining Etiquette as Presented on Film! You can watch it live on September 23rd at 4:00 pm PST (Pacific Standard Time). We have a limited number of viewers who can attend via Zoom, however, if you are registered and cannot watch the event live, you’ll be sent a video link to watch a copy at your leisure. Link to the Free Webinar –– https://events.humanitix.com/dining-according-to-hollywood-the-art-of-dining-on-film Please email any questions to: theetiquettechannel@gmail.com

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia