A tray of pigs in a blanket.

Putting Words in Your Mouth: The Whimsical Language of Food

Many whimsically named regional foods focus instead on telling a story that often sounds neither delicious nor sophisticated. How do such odd names stick?
Raw kombu

Tasty! The Story of MSG

MSG, the Japanese flavor enhancer, has grown into an international sensation. But its history is also fraught with tension.
Speech Bubbles

When Actions Are Words

How certain speech acts perform actions and alter our social reality.
Let's Talk Turkey

Let’s Talk Turkey

First of all, why the name "turkey?"
hot dogs: americas cheap meat

Hot Dogs: America’s Fast, Cheap Meat

With all due respect to hamburgers and apple pie, hot dogs are arguably the most American of foods.