meat was any food {the sense is preserved in "meat and drink" and in the English food mincemeat, which contains various fruits but no meat in the sense that we now use it}.
by Bill Bryson (0 Reviews)
In Bill Bryson's "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way," he explores the historical context of the word "meat." Originally, the term referred broadly to any type of food, rather than specifically to animal flesh as it is commonly understood today. This broader definition is reflected in phrases like "meat and drink," emphasizing that "meat" encompassed a variety of sustenance.
Additionally, Bryson points out an interesting example: mincemeat, a traditional English dish known for containing a mix of fruits rather than actual meat. This highlights how language evolves over time, altering meanings and associations while retaining traces of their original significance. Such insights reveal the rich tapestry of the English language's development.
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