Famous food expressions explained
1. I COULD EAT A HORSE: Literally "I am so hungry, I could eat a horse". Although horse is a popular delicacy in Germany, Italy and France it is not in England, so the saying here is not to be taken to the letter.
2. SQUARE MEAL: This isn't a rectilinear meal on right-angled crockery but a good and satisfying one. A proper, nourishing meal. The phrase is of US origin and dates back to 1878.
3. BRING HOME THE BACON: In days gone by, meat was a luxury for most families. So, it was a sign of wealth when the man of the house could bring some home and pork was one of the favourites.
4. CHEWING THE FAT: To set the worlds to rights, to have a grumble about the issues of the day. This expression was originally a nautical one. Sailors working their jaws on rationed, tough salt pork when supplies ran low, and they constantly grumbled about their poor fare while literally chewing the fat.
5. SPILL THE BEANS: To release secret information. Its origins come from the ancient Greeks who were fussy about membership of their secret societies. New members would be voted upon by placing either a black bean for rejection or a white bean for acceptance into a jar. The exact number of black and white beans was supposed to remain a secret but often the jar was knocked and the beans spilled.
6. THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING: The real test is in the results. It means that you can have an amazing recipe, a fine set of ingredients but ultimately it is the end goal that counts.
7. TAKING THE BISCUIT: It actually means to win first prize but is now almost exclusively used in an ironic fashion. For example, the Government tax rises have really taken the biscuit. In other words they have won first prize in the unpopularity stakes.
8. BEEF ABOUT: To grumble or complain. The origins seem to come from cattle farmers. When moving their livestock from ranch to railway, the cows had to trot for days on end. When approaching towns, residents didn't need to be told they were on the way as they could hear the "beef" coming from miles away. So a person grumbling loudly is said to have a beef with or about something.
9. TO COOK SOMEONE'S GOOSE: To put someone at a disadvantage. Bizarrely enough it seems to have originated from when King Eric of Sweden went to crush a rebellion in a town accompanied by very few soldiers. When he arrived, the enemy hung out gooses for him to shoot at. When asked what he wanted, Eric replied: "To cook your goose!"
10. UPPER CRUST: Upper class. The saying comes from the time when baked bread was apportioned by class status. Working classes got the burnt bottom segments, middle classes the middle and the upper class got the upper crust.