From my childhood (by oral transmission, with no spelling); a Northumbrian dialect ("Pitmatic") term for the ends of a slice of traditionally-shaped bread is booly - i.e. because round like a ball (or bool); and clappy - because flattened as if clapped, or slapped-down-upon, a table (or anything else).
As a kid I much preferred the clappie end, and would always take it for preference.
But now I'm grown-up my taste has reversed, and I will go for the booly end - if given the choice.
In Medieval times, bread was cut horizontally so the booly ends and most of the bread, were detached from the clappie end - which was used as a plate or "trencher"; which after the meal, having soaked up various juices, might be given to The Poor.
This was because bread ovens were insulated stone or brick boxes, pre-heated with burning wood. The ash was then mostly raked out, and the bread baked ASAP while the oven still retained its heat...
But the clappy end would inevitably be permeated with wood ash, which is why it was sawn-off before serving.
Whether this is relevant to my current booly preference is doubtful -- My worry is that the change signifies a covert transfer of allegiance from the Saxon peasantry of my ancestors (who would have got the clappie trenchers to eat, if they were lucky) to their evil Norman overlords that kept the booly for themselves.
9 comments:
Only Zooks would eat bread with the clappy side down.
@Wm - Had to look-up that one - If I ever read the book, I have unfortunately forgotten it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Butter_Battle_Book
I'd never thought about it, but when I imagine myself eating a sandwich, it's definitely the clappy end that goes in my mouth first. The corner, I think.
@M - I think I made the change when our family started to be able to buy crusty white bread - anyone who likes crusty bread, presumably would prefer the booly.
The booly is the best end. I eat the clappy first to save the best part for the end of the meal.
@Rich - Sounds reasonable - unless you have a sibling who is likely to snatch the best bit before you get around to it. In which case you should eat the best first - or else you might never eat it.
I'd never heard these nor any other names before. Imagining myself eating a sandwich it's clearly the booly end I eat first. My.Norman roots must be showing. How embarrassing.
@BP - Do not despair - I suppose the Peasants would also have chosen the booly end, if they had been allowed to.
Excuse me fellas, I am definitely a clappy guy when it comes to bread.
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