THE WORD HOUND Word origins we like --by Jan Haber

Always on the trail of odd and interesting word origins, here are a few the Word Hound led us to this month.

Earl Grey and other food-related names

As you sip your Earl Grey tea, think of Charles Grey, Viscount Howick, prime minister to the British King William IV from 1830-1834. A social progressive, his admin- istration saw to the abolition of slavery throughout the British empire.

The legend is that Earl Grey saved the life of a Chinese Mandarin, who rewarded him by giving him the recipe for the fragrant tea that bears his name.

By the way, it's oil of bergamot that flavors the tea. The oil is extracted from the peel of the bergamot, a small, sour fruit related to the orange we know and love. Bergamots are native to Vietnam.

Lady Gray tea, a creation of the Twinings Co., is a lighter, less robust version of Earl Grey.
The viscount seems to have enjoyed a busy home life. Married to Elizabeth Ponsonby, the daughter of a baron, Grey had seven daughters (one illegitimate) and ten sons.

More foods named for people

Bing, a variety of cherry that originated in Oregon, developed by horticulturist Seth Lewelling, was named for his Manchurian Chinese foreman, Ah Bing.

Salisbury Steak was named for James H. Salisbury, MD (1823 - 1905), an early health food faddist who believed that starchy foods and vegetables were poison and caused every disease from anemia and heart disease to tuberculosis and mental illness. He said our teeth are meat teeth, and recommended a diet of muscle pulp of lean beef, made into cakes and broiled. He wrote that people should eat this three times a day with lots of hot water to rinse out the digestive system.

McIntosh apple was named for John McIntosh (1777-1846), who discovered the variety growing in his orchard in Ontario, Canada sometime before 1810.

Granny Smith apple, a new cultivar that originated in Australia from a seedling propagated by Marie Ana (Granny) Smith, about 1868, was named for her.

Fettucini Alfredo The Alfredo was restaurateur Alfredo di Lello, who first sauced egg noodles with this rich concoction of cream, butter and cheese in the 1920s.

Caesar salad may have been created by Caesar Cardini, who came to San Diego, California from Italy after World War I. It is said he originated it for his restaurant in 1924. Others lay claim to the invention, including Cardini's business partner and his sous-chef.

Cobb Salad was named for Robert H. Cobb, who owned the famous Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood and often fixed the salad for himself as a late night snack.

The Word Hound welcomes your questions, comments & pet word origins.

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