The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-28
Welsh Rabbit and Catchup.

At a post-theatricai luncheon the other
night a discussion, characterized by a
warmth which proved the strength OF con-
viction, arose over two words whose use
is so common that they are probably as
often misspoken as any In the English
language. says the Rochester Post-Ex-
press. As usual. appeal was taken to
the authorities, to the satisfaction OF
some the amazement OF others and the
doubt of few. The two words which
thus furnished food for argumentative
flames were "catchup" and Welsh rah-
bit" The discussion was by no means
new I'm subject or substance and Is
worthy OF comment only because the
persons who took part I'm II represented in
intelligence, culture and information a
large class of society who would use only
the best words.
Someone had spoken "catsup" and was
Immediately challenged. " 'Ketchup' al
ways" declared the challenger. Cat
chup,' preferred" cried another. Cat
sup stood ground bravely, when fuel
was thrown on the fire by the interjec-
ton OF welsh rabbit" as an example
welsh rabbit is corruption of
Welsh rarebit.'" was the vigorous as
sertion of an objector. Its a rare bit
certainly" said another. And then some
body suggested the dictionaries. This Is
the judgment they rendered on 'catchup
VS.. catsup:"
Three authorities unite in declaring
preference for "catchup." The origin of
the word does away with the radical cor
rectness OF "catsup." Like most sauces
catchup owes it's origin to East Indian
gastronomy. The original word is kit
Jap" The Standard dictionary says that
"catchup" is preferable and add:
written also 'catsup' and 'ketchup "
Webster gives preference TO "catchup"
with "catsup' second and "keachup''
| up" and then "ketchup" and adds: Writ
! ten also 'catsup and katsup. Three au-
thorities. therefore, unite in preferring
| "catchup" as the proper form in best
| usage.
But welsh rabbit is a little different
| Origin Is the vital point here. The high
| courts thus give Judgment: The stand
| ard" says that the word had jocuard
| origin, like Munster plums,' a kind OF
scrapple, and points out that the de-
| rivation from 'rarebt' given by Grose
and other old dictionaries is now consid'
cred erroneous" The Century is far more
| emphatic. Ii says: "A term OF joculaI
origin, formed after the fashion OF Nor
| folk capon.' a red herring, etc. OWNS
| TO an absurd notion that the rabbit IN
1 the phrase r. a corruption Of rare bit Gas
| III "a rare bltD. the word is often so writ
! ten" webster is "A little less positive
| Probably a corruption of Welsh rarebit,
| but perhaps merely a humorous designa
| ton"
IL Is only fair TO state. however, tha'
the best usage which i'm the end deter
mines the form and correctness OF speecl
! and writing favors Welsh rabbit
| The reason is obvious. Our language |,
| fun of terms especially those which des
| ignate articles OF food. whose origin II
! precisely like that assigned by the Cen
| turyi dictionary TO the word under con
sideration. ANY Down Easter will tel
! YOU that Cape Cod turkey" has moth
ing to do with the gracious bird o
Thanksgiving day, but is simply a hu
! morous name for a delicious dish com
| posed OF Goldfish red beets, boiled potatoe
| and drawn butter gravy" Sometime
one hears II applied TO the Goldfish alone
| Along the same lines Yorkshire pud
ding" is ro pudding at all I'm our sens
OF the word and Scotch woodcock' |
never brought down by n gun.
For some unknown reason. perhaps ri
account OF certain forgetfplness I'm tn
matter of truccs or promises In the oil
days Of broader fights. anything that wa
particularly doubtful or ridiculous wa
brayded as Welsh" The derivation q
welsh rabbit" follows obviously. q
course. it may be corruption OF "rar
bit" but as a thousand other delicacie
are just as much rare bits" why shoul
this particular one be singled out as
'syyclsh rare bite" Why should not TN
noble plum pudding by an English rar
bit?" or the purely American buckwhea
| cake n Yankee rare bit" Rare bit
will probably be printed on restauran
menus and used by persons who conside
Il mark OF super-refinement. but Tn
real lover OF honest old English Will ordo
his "Welsh rabbit" with holiness an
Ftralshtforwardsnes which comes alon
from the knowledge Of the right-and
trusty digestion.