In the English language, it seems to be the case that, due to the Norman yoke, the norm is that animals have Germanic names, whereas the corresponding meats have Romanic names. E.g., cow–beef, sheep–mutton, etc. I am looking for exceptions to this rule in which the reverse is the case, i.e., an a...
The "Norman yoke" helps explain the common pattern; the usual explanation is that the Saxon farmer used the Saxon word for matters of farming, but the dish was served to the Norman lords under its French name. Why would we expect to find the opposite? Why would a Norman word enter the farmyard?
"Cockles" might halfway qualify (as vs "scallops"). Both words are used rather interchangeably for animal and dish, but it looks like "cockle" was maybe earlier by half a century.
@AndyBonner That which is expected is uninteresting and not worth writing about. I posted this question precisely because I am looking for that which is unexpected. Pigeons are considered farm animals and, yet, they do have a Romanic name. Perhaps the Anglo-Saxons were too disgusted by pigeons ("air rats") to eat them.
Pigeons are considered farm animals – definitely not in UK although I ate pigeon pie in Morocco. They are more urban opportunist creatures, pests, although they are seen in the countryside.
pigeon and squab: squab is not the meat for a pigeon. It means a young pigeon. Also, Germanic meat and Romanic animal don't sound too great. Words for meat with a German root, words for animals with a Latin root.
@Lambie Maybe the meat of non-baby pigeons is too gamey? Asking ChatGPT-like AI about the quality of the meat of older pigeons, the answer is: "No, the meat of older pigeons is not as good as the meat of young pigeons. Specifically, squab (young pigeons) are considered superior for meat consumption. The meat from older and wild pigeons is much tougher and requires extensive cooking to become tender"
@WeatherVane Asking a ChatGPT-like AI about pigeon-farming in the UK, the answer was: "Yes, pigeons were extensively farmed for meat in England in the past. Dovecotes, also known as pigeon houses or culveries, were common structures on estates and farms for rearing pigeons as a food source. This practice dates back to Roman times and was particularly prevalent during the medieval period"
A lot of specific terms for offal seem to be Germanic, if that counts, whether it's offal of a particular animal or more general. But I think the general rule applies to common animals and meats not to e.g. some weird sausage prepared in Saxony from a French breed of pig.
If you're interested in discussing what meat from an ibex or buffalo is called, you're probably better off on cooking.stackexchange.com
Discussion on question by Rodrigo de …
Discussion on question by Rodrigo de …