the dumbing down of America...

I read in the newspaper this morning that Americans' vocabularies are shrinking and it is affecting cookbook writers.  Apparently, we are no longer able to discern what it means to dredge, to saute, to fold in, to cream something, etc.  Amazing. 

I read a lot, so that is probably where I attained my vocabulary, AND I love words (hence my daily e-mail from dictionary.com).  I am saddened by the thought that people are so badly in need of English lessons AND cooking lessons that they cannot comprehend what is written in a recipe book from the 60's.

I'm sure I learned all those things from my mom, who cooked ALOT...a given, since she had 10 kids.  And my mother was a very good cook and a very good teacher.

I love to cook.  My favorite recipe source is The New Best Recipe, by the Editors of Cook's Illustrated (my favorite cooking magazine).  I love how they have analyzed every recipe, taking into account the Chemistry of cooking, and find the best way to prepare everything.  I have not had one single 'failure' when using these recipes.  In fact, they are so good that I am loathe to try anyone else's.  

So, I've wandered all around cooking and vocabulary.  But what the hay...it's my blog and I'll say what I want! I know I haven't made a cogent argument.  I'm not actually that GOOD at arguing, anyway.  Maybe I should read a book on debating....

Comments

[Barbara]

That is sad. I thought cookbooks were simple enough to read already. Sheesh!

[tinker]

That's sad - and a little scary...
Given the popularity of the Iron Chef and other Food Network shows, I'd think there'd be an upsurge of people familiar with those words, even if they're not reading as much. Maybe they're just watching with the sound turned off...

[Margaret]

Reading is definitely the key!! It has helped Ashley (and me) with our vocabulary. I wish Alison read more.

[Tonya]

I get so tired of trying to come up with new (or good!) things for dinner, and I hate recipes in my cookbooks that call for bizarre ingredients. I'm NOT a great cook, and my mom was NOT a good teacher (she didn't want me to "mess up her kitchen") so I never really learned the basics. So "The New Best Recipe" sounds like the book for me. Did a little research on Amazon and clicked "buy!" :o)