A Sunday brunch of raisins, prunes and curly corners
Today’s question:
Dried cranberries are called dried cranberries. Dried apples are called dried apples. Why then are dried grapes called raisins and dried plums called prunes?
First things first: This business of the curling corners of your newspaper is starting to get out of hand.
I don’t know for sure why the corners of your newspaper seem to be curlier than usual lately. I can only assume my masters have been using a thinner sort of newsprint. I don’t know. My masters do not consult with me when they purchase newsprint. In fact, my masters seldom consult with me at all.
Or I suppose it might have something to do with the long spell of dry weather we’ve had. Again, I don’t know.
This is what I think: I know many of you take your newspaper and its doings very personally. That probably is a good thing.
However, I also think that if the fact the corners of your newspaper are curling is the worst thing you have to worry about you are a very fortunate people indeed.
Now about raisins and prunes. There are various explanations for this.
Grapes and the plums used to make prunes are among the few foods that dry naturally and remain edible without rotting. A whole apple, for example, left to its own devices will rot. It is dried by slicing it and putting it through a dehydrating process.
Raisins and prunes do not really taste like grapes and plums. When dried they become new things with new tastes and new names.
Another explanation: The Old French word for grapes is raisin. The French words for raisins are raisins sec. In the old days the English nobility spoke French and could afford imported dried fruits. Hence, raisins.
In Old French “prone” was the word for plum. As it moved into English it became prune.
Have a question for Clay? Reach him at 602-444-8612 or clay.thompson@ari zonarepublic.com.