Origin of the Term 'Foodie'
Foodie is a loaded word. Every few months someone starts a Talk topic here on Serious Eats to grouse about it (here, here, and here, for starters). I'm ambivalent about it, finding it useful at times when you've exhausted all other synonyms.
If you're wondering whom to thank or blame for its coinage, look no further. According to etymologist Barry Popik, former New York magazine food critic Gael Greene appears to have used it in print first in 1980:
Gael Greene of New York magazine used the word “foodie” in a story on June 2, 1980, and then used “foodie” several times in 1982 and 1983. There were several London-based citations of “foodie” in 1982 and 1983. It appears that Gael Greene’s 1980 “foodie” and [U.S./British author and food journalist] Paul Levy’s 1982 “foodie” were independent coinages.
Related
"Gourmet" [Barry Popik]
"Foodie" License Plate
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11 Comments:
I can't stand the term foodie it is truly awful
Timothyrows at 10:28AM on 04/20/09
I'm with you Adam. It's just semantics. Although... it is sort of funny to see people get bent out of shape about it.
lawofmurphy at 11:05AM on 04/20/09
Would anyone like to propose a new term?
engmcmuffin at 12:15PM on 04/20/09
Chris Onstad, creator of achewood.com defined it best:
GOURMET: One who enjoys good food and drink.
GOURMAND: One who enjoys food and drink in large quantites.
GASTRONOME: One who enjoys the history and sociology of cookery.
EPICURE: More discriminating in taste than a Gourmet. More uptight.
FOODIE: This is not a word. Don't use it.
sailordave at 4:35PM on 04/20/09
I like underpants too, that doesn't make me a Pantie. Does it?
(I stole that from someone, but I'm not sure who.) I hate the term.
maered at 5:48PM on 04/20/09
i hate the term pantie, definitely prefer underpants.
i don't see why there shouldn't be a word that encompasses all sorts of people who are excited about/interested in food. why not foodie? i don't understand. is it just too english and not french enough (judging by chris onstad's list, french derivision is universal regarding food fans.)
al oof at 6:33PM on 04/20/09
It's just that "foodie" is a dumb word. It reminds me of the term "Claymate".
sailordave at 9:49PM on 04/20/09
Oh - and my personalized plate - it addition to donating funds to national parks - is my dog's name. :-\
funchefchick at 10:57PM on 04/20/09
Oops, my above post was meant for a related thread.
Since I am here: I don't get the resistance to the term. Other than "gourmet" which is, of course, the name of a magazine and also sounds a bit pretentious in general conversation, what one word sums up those who care about the food that they eat? I'm willing to entertain alternatives . . so who has some?
funchefchick at 11:11PM on 04/20/09
I went to Cornell's Hotel School and we referred to those that studied Food & Beverage Management as "foodies" back in the early 90's. Of course, there were also "aggies" (Ag School) on campus.
I really don't understand what the problem is with the term.
cornellfoodie at 7:49PM on 04/21/09
I really don't understand what the problem is with the term.
That's because there IS no problem with the term. I've never had it applied to me as anything other than a compliment. For example - I've laid out a spread of food and had guests who were enjoying it exclaim: "Wow - I love coming here. You can tell who the real foodies are by what they serve to their guests."
There really are bigger problems in the culinary world than the use of the word "foodie." Frankenfood, to name just one.
therealchiffonade at 6:50AM on 05/28/09