Sunday, February 22, 2009

Muffin


According the OED, this teatime and breakfast treat's name has an "uncertain origin." However, a possible origin is provided: "German regional (Low German) muffe (plural muffen) little cake (16th cent. in Middle Low German). Perhaps compare also Old French mofletmouflet (14th cent. as noun denoting a kind of bread; 13th cent. as adjective in sense ‘(of bread) soft, tender’) (OED)."

Now, it must never be forgotten, muffins are by definition 'soft' and 'tender'; anything 'dry' or 'tough' is therefore, not a muffin.


Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petitvacherin/3291395728/

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