I Never Want to Hear the Words 'Toothsome' or 'Cloying' Again
I've just had enough of the words "toothsome" and "cloying." Everyone seems to use them in every restaurant/ food review and it's just really starting to bother me.
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57 Comments:
Amen, brother! Add "mouthfeel" to that list.
juliebugsmama at 2:47PM on 11/21/08
Yes, yes and yes! Toothsome is so gross. Eeeew.
CookiePie at 3:23PM on 11/21/08
Toothsome, yes. But I feel like "cloying," while it might be overused, does manage to convey that suffocatingly sweet sense that occasionally can't be described any other way.
kfarrel3 at 4:07PM on 11/21/08
I hate the word "cloying" HATE IT! I hate the word "purist" too, and "tried and true" and "go-to". Pretty much every buzz word or phrase lately.
sorry, I'm feeling icky and I'm testy and cranky :(
Southern_bella at 4:08PM on 11/21/08
Good point, Daniel. Your post has a toothsome quality that has excellent mouthfeel without being cloying. Perhaps these purist restaurant critics should consider a go-to, tried and true thesaurus for their holiday gift list (sorry... that was sad).
jpolk at 4:46PM on 11/21/08
@jpolk ~ All I can say is you said it! I am laughing so hard I need a depends!! ;-DDDDD
izatryt at 4:57PM on 11/21/08
haha I have to agree, I've been reading those words a lot lately. Although they do convey something pretty specific!
Laurel E at 6:03PM on 11/21/08
Those words were so viral, even I caught the bug and used them. Big deal, though. I've branded myself as a dipshit since forever. There are pantloads of phrases, words and voices that make me wanna' spit, but I don't need more negativity right now.
Susquehanna at 7:07PM on 11/21/08
Ok, here's mine: "Tuck in".......I get a facial tic, truly, when I hear that one.
sailorgrrl05 at 7:53PM on 11/21/08
Voila.
HATE HATE HATE IT.
ChelleyD01 at 8:15PM on 11/21/08
Foam.
Oh and anything deconstructed and "three ways".
ag3208 at 8:37PM on 11/21/08
oh I forgot one... "money" not the green stuff, the food related usage of it, makes me nuts!
Southern_bella at 8:38PM on 11/21/08
I don't know why but "healthful" instead of "healthy" drives me crazy. Perhaps it's just because I grew up hearing "healthy," and when I first started hearing it, it was out of Rachel Ray's mouth six or seven times an episode--or so it seemed. Not trying to bad mouth her, that's just what I found irritating. And now I hear "healthful" all the time.
dhorst at 8:57PM on 11/21/08
It's so good, it's crack. I hate drug references that make them sound desirable..
Ditto @dhorst. And I'd add nearly every overused phrase that comes out of RR's mouth.Sammie, stoup, worsta sheer shire sauce fake giggle, I know, right? fake giggle It's the thing that makes you go hmmmmmm - NO, I just go grrrrrrr. And I most definitely know that oregano means joy of the mountains. I only need to hear something 600 times before I commit it to memory.
PerkyMac at 9:39PM on 11/21/08
@dhorst - Yes, yes, yes!!!!
My biggest pet peeve though is "reduce down" (when speaking of sauce, soup, whatever). As opposed to "reducing it up", I presume? GRRRR!
brooke29 at 10:05PM on 11/21/08
@brooke29 ~ reduce up is possible. it's what happens to my weight every time I try to diet.
PerkyMac at 10:14PM on 11/21/08
@Perky - thanks for the laugh, I needed it so badly today:-)
brooke29 at 10:33PM on 11/21/08
@dhorst--I'm the opposite with "healthful" and "healthy" since I'm such an anal-retentive stickler for proper grammar. Since the word "healthy" refers to a state of being, and "healthful" refers to something that promotes good health, it irks the hell out of me when someone refers to food as "healthy" (unless, of course, they are talking about the chicken's condition pre-decapitation).
buffy at 10:35PM on 11/21/08
Oh, and I second "deconstructed". So pretentious.
buffy at 10:36PM on 11/21/08
@sailorgrrl- I see "tuck in" much too often and, to me, it implies childhood bedtime. Not anything having to do with eating. Maybe, MAYBE, the phrase is meant to evoke the first few bites of a long-loved comforst dish but, not so much in the usage i've seen.
and btw, i'm the sailor 'round here.
sailordave at 10:40PM on 11/21/08
@buffy - I don't think the word "healthful" is used in British English; I'm quite certain that we use "healthy" for both meanings (for what it's worth, I have a degree in linguistics, even though it was many moons ago and doesn't mean much any more:-)). In fact, even if you refer to a dictionary (say, Merriam-Webster), one of the meanings of "healthy" is "conducive to health". To me, the word "healthful" sounds awkward and unnatural (it's a rather irrational explanation, I admit), and I will probably never say it.
Interestingly, dictionary.com has the following usage note regarding "healthy" and "healthful":
Usage Note: The distinction in meaning between healthy ("possessing good health") and healthful ("conducive to good health") was ascribed to the two terms only as late as the 1880s. This distinction, though tenaciously supported by some critics, is belied by citational evidence—healthy has been used to mean "healthful" since the 16th century. Use of healthy in this sense is to be found in the works of many distinguished writers, with this example from John Locke being typical: "Gardening . . . and working in wood, are fit and healthy recreations for a man of study or business." Therefore, both healthy and healthful are correct in these contexts: a healthy climate, a healthful climate; a healthful diet, a healthy diet.
brooke29 at 12:16AM on 11/22/08
I have to agree brooke. Every time I heard RR say healthful, it sounded unnatural. I did look it up and it was listed as an adjective. I thought that she was using it incorrectly. I'm much more familiar with American English/Canadian English and I'm not an expert like either you or buffy, but it always sounds off and off-putting to my ears. Of course, I find nearly everything she says annoying, so don't go by my opinion. ;)
PerkyMac at 12:23AM on 11/22/08
@Perky - Of course, I find nearly everything she says annoying... -- oh yes, the fact that RR says it so much makes it even more awkward and unnatural-sounding!
brooke29 at 12:41AM on 11/22/08
@perky, What about -shudder- EVOO Insert loud SCREAM here. (I wish I knew how to do italics and stuff like you guys :( )
@jpolk, you had me at the git-go.
My dad loves RR, we call her his girlfriend, and condemn her regularly.
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 1:02AM on 11/22/08
@brooke29, I wish I could say it was my 1 pet peeve.
Oh, and sorry if you read this on the other thread.
Reduce down? (This one wasn't there, it just got me)
ATM machine
PIN number
Shrimp Scampi
Duvet Cover
Chevre Goat Cheese (my bad)
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 1:21AM on 11/22/08
Add me to the list of folks who find everything that comes out of the mouth of RR annoying. I will admit, I have learned some very useful things from her, but by the time I get through a 30-minute-meal I want to scream. Although, you'll probably never hear her say "toothsome" or "cloying". And I agree with whoever said they didn't like "mouthfeel". What's wrong with just saying "texture"?
@brooke--It's Friday night and the linguistics lesson made my brain hurt ;)
buffy at 2:00AM on 11/22/08
@carol - hey, I never said it was my one pet peeve, I said it was the biggest one - the exact number may vary depending on how tired and cranky I am, but it's never just one:-)
@buffy - seeing that I'm still awake, it's quite clear that it did the same to mine:-) Now, if only we could somehow ban all RR'isms...
brooke29 at 2:34AM on 11/22/08
@ buffy and @ brooke, I really like the linguistics lesson.
Please lets all stay smart. Or get smart.
Thank you.
carolrsfMISSESTEXAS at 2:37AM on 11/22/08
I want to kick people who say "meatatarian" in the throat.
Cassaendra at 2:42AM on 11/22/08
Cassaendra! There you are. I've been waiting for you to chime in on the PHO discussion. From comments you've made, I'd rule you the expert and I've been watching for your description. Where have you been?????
4 a.m. and I haven't slept yet. I'll blame it on linguistics. Speaking of get smart, I believe I hear my shoe phone ringing. 99?
PerkyMac at 4:07AM on 11/22/08
"Toothsome" reminds me of Shamdra Lee and therefore sets my teeth on edge.
"Meld" makes my skin crawl.
Still use "cloying(ly)" all the time, can't think of anything that mentally paints the tongue with whatever flavor is being described that way.
Still use "mouthfeel" all the time. When someone comes up with a better term to describe solely the textural feeling of a food in one's mouth as a separate quality from its taste, let me know and I'll be glad to use it.
Only use "tuck in" with the most comforting, homey-est foods like pot pie or hot apple crisp. No other term seems to relate that palpable snuggle that accompanies such foods.
@ChelleyD01 - Voila doesn't bother me as much as WAH-LAH!!! (Gag.)
I won't even abbreviate extra virgin olive oil as EVOO on a SHOPPING LIST because of RR.
ATM machine
PIN number
Shrimp Scampi
Duvet Cover...
First two - I'm with you. "Scampi" is an accepted term for the dressing of (any fish or even chicken) with garlic, butter and white wine. A "Duvet" is the actual comforter while a Duvet Cover is the decorative fabric casing you can get to cover said duvet.
Perhaps a tangent - but the mispronunciation of mascarpone as mar-sca-pone makes me want to clong someone with a frying pan.
therealchiffonade at 8:28AM on 11/22/08
"Freezes beautifully" -- I'm sorry, you cannot tell me that a frozen hunk of lasagna, or tuna noodle casserole, or leftover cranberry sauce is pleasing to the eye. Please tell me what's wrong with "freezes well"?
Dee at 9:18AM on 11/22/08
neither toothsome nor cloying bother me, nor does anything Rachel Ray says as I do not watch her. But as a blogger, I understand teh need to constantly augment your food related adjectives with a thesaurus to avoid overuse of any one term. However, I do thoroughly enjoy using drug references with regard to food.
lizzie3 at 10:04AM on 11/22/08
'Cloying' doesn't bother me unless something is being described as 'not cloying', which smacks of self-conscious efforts at irony, and makes me feel like shrieking.
'Healthful' is aggravating in casual speech. Unless Ray's speech is unusually precise or formal, this use is going to grate on the ear, in much the same way as does 'amply remunerates' (if you boss pays you well, than say it like that). I'm a copyeditor, and the word shows up occasionally in some article I'm reading, but it then fits with the overall tone.
GRRRRR... I don't know why, but just thinking about this has made me snarly and sour...
mongoose at 10:27AM on 11/22/08
@chiff - I'm with you on maRscapone...eXspresso is on the same list too.
@Perky - next time we're both awake at 4 am, we should get together and watch some Sandy - I've noticed that it inevitably puts my OH to sleep, no matter how much he yells at the screen (even though I usually end up being too annoyed and agitated to sleep...then again, I haven't tried it at 4 am yet:-)).
brooke29 at 11:16AM on 11/22/08
Nutty........... confound it what kinda of nut, Earthy....maybe like dirt???
Markbb at 1:05PM on 11/22/08
@Perky: LOL. I saw Simon describe pho as "gift from the gods" and decided he and the previous posts had covered it quite well. =) ring-ring ... why is mine always a bananaphone? (It's a phone with appeal! )
@Markbb: I love "earthy" flavors, and yeah, I use it as a euphemism for "tastes like dirt." Who doesn't love dirt-flavor?!
Cassaendra at 2:56PM on 11/22/08
@chiff ~ "clong with a frying pan" ~ love that word. It implies a thudding kind of ring. I think we determined earlier that the proper frying pan in the smacking someone with scenario, would work best with cast iron and I'm quite sure it would clonggggggggggg on impact.
@Cassaendra ~ appeal ~ OUCH! LOL
@brooke29 ~ if I followed your suggestion (Aunt what's her face at 4 a.m.), I'd have to take more blood pressure meds. I'm a little surprised she puts your OH to sleep - I thought her appeal was to the male persuasion. I think I'm losing it - I had FN on today while I was busy doing other things, and realized I yell at RR & her clone Sunny, SL and Gina. They all annoy the ******* **** out of me. I guess I get cranky when I lose sleep, too. ;) I did catch a few minutes of Anne Burrell and none of her idiosyncrasies bother me, and she has at least as many as the above group. I think respect for talent has a lot to do with my reaction. I learn so much from her, even just watching for a couple of minutes!
PerkyMac at 4:34PM on 11/22/08
eXpresso drives me nuts too, brooke29.
can't stand RR either.
gastronomeg at 4:56PM on 11/22/08
Luckily, ever since the bf relocated an espresso machine to our apartment he has been able to say the word correctly, or I would cry (and then refuse to make him any).
nightowl at 5:08PM on 11/22/08
I have decided not to let anything bother me anymore.
@Perk ~ ******* **** Is that a bad word? ;-)
izatryt at 5:39PM on 11/22/08
@iz ~ wanna buy a vowel? ;0
PerkyMac at 5:41PM on 11/22/08
@Perk ~ Can I buy a "U"?
izatryt at 6:00PM on 11/22/08
How about Sandra adding nuts to one of her crap concoctions to give it a "nice nutty flavor"? Really? Adding nuts gives something a "nutty flavor"??! Stop the presses!!
buffy at 7:04PM on 11/22/08
@iz ~ haha. yup. *u***** ****
I prefer Irish Spring. :(
@buffy ~ she just made semi-homemade cranberry sauce with cranberry gelatin, cranberry juice and a can of ..........can you guess??????
cranberry sauce. Oy.
PerkyMac at 8:24PM on 11/22/08
I'll buy an "I", please. (just to watch Vanna run across the stage in her heels and look silly)
nightowl at 10:46PM on 11/22/08
@Perk ~ It's not like you to use the F bomb! when I drop it, the room goes silent! ;-D
izatryt at 10:49PM on 11/22/08
@buffy - the woman claims she can actually see flavour, now tell me if it matters whether it's nutty or not!! I do enjoy it when she adds vanella aigstract to Cool Whip (oops, pardon me, whipped topping) to get rid of that packaged taste, you know. Works like a charm!
@Perky - I know you're right because even tough my blood pressure is very low, I believe the only time it's actually close to normal (=really high) is when I watch what's-her-face.
brooke29 at 11:01PM on 11/22/08
vanella aigstract ...
Bwah! Don't forget rose beef and rose chicken. Ms. Lee should have invested in cooking lessons AND a few sessions with a diction coach.
therealchiffonade at 8:54PM on 11/23/08
That "rose" threw me for a loop. I read it several times until the light bulb fizzled on.
Cassaendra at 9:08PM on 11/23/08
"Toothsome" sounds almost clinical to me. It doesn't connect with the sensual experience I associate with eating. "Cloying" doesn't bother me, but I'll tell you what does: TASTY. What are you saying when you describe food as "tasty"? That it has a taste? Yeah, so? Every time I see that word in a restaurant review, or I hear someone say it, I want to slap myself upside the head. That's laziness and/or lack of imagination. Reminds me of a man I knew who described everything as "nice."
"How was your trip to Paris, Mr. X?"
"Really nice!"
baboo at 10:09PM on 11/23/08
@Perky - please tell me you're kidding about the semi-homemade cranberry sauce! That sounds like an entire circle of hell, all in one bowl!!!
CookiePie at 12:47PM on 11/24/08
I am so glad I don't get the food channel. I do watch ace of cakes online but oddly enough they don't have any of shamdra's shows on there. I wonder why?? :) But I do hate the word toothsome or mouthfeel and they seem pretentious and who wants a mouthfeel that is toothy?
luv2cook
@iz i stole shamdra from you I think? LOVE it!
love2cook at 1:07PM on 11/24/08
What about the word "moist?" Just typing it makes me cringe - like chewing tinfoil. UGH.
And I agree with pretty much everyone about the EVOO. Is it so dang hard to just say the words? Will it cut into her time for other words like "Yummo" and "Salt and pepper action?" Double UGH.
TheCheapChick at 10:24PM on 11/25/08
It just struck me; I never want to se or hear the word 'foodie' again. It sounds as intelligent as calling someone who appreciates wine a 'wine-y'.
@TheCheapChick: If you do away with moist, then you're kind of left with 'damp' and 'slightly wet' as descriptors :D
I would love to see 'moist' restricted to strictly functional descriptions, and when I read reviews that include 'moist' in close conjunction with words such as 'sensual' and 'orgasmic', I really want to lie in wait for the writer with a taser in my hand.
mongoose at 2:39AM on 11/26/08
@mongoose: Just starting calling 'em a wino.
I can't stand "orgasmic" as a description for food. It's so overused, it falls...limp.
Cassaendra at 7:30AM on 11/26/08
@Cassaendra ~ LOL!
@luv2cook ~ I came across the "shamdra" term on a thread dedicated to all things sandra lee. It struck me funny and I adopted it.
izatryt at 10:51AM on 11/26/08