gourmand

Summary

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day: "Gourmand"

Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

---

Introduction

On January 21, 2025, Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day spotlighted the term "gourmand." Hosted by Peter Sokolowski, the episode delved into the definition, historical evolution, and modern interpretations of the word, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of its usage and connotations.

Definition of "Gourmand"

At [00:41], Peter Sokolowski introduces "gourmand" as a noun, pronounced gour-mand and spelled G-O-U-R-M-A-N-D. He explains:

"A gourmand is a person who loves and appreciates good food and drink. Gourmand can also refer to someone who enjoys eating and drinking to excess."
— Peter Sokolowski [00:42]

This dual definition highlights the word's versatility in describing both a genuine appreciation for culinary delights and, conversely, indulgence beyond moderation.

Usage Example

To illustrate the word in context, Sokolowski cites a sentence from Rachel Cormack's article in the Robb Report:

"The deck sports a dining area with a barbecue and pizza oven. For gourmands."
— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report [00:55]

This example showcases "gourmand" in a positive light, referring to individuals who savor and enjoy fine dining experiences.

Historical Evolution

The term "gourmand" has undergone significant semantic shifts since its inception. Originally appearing in English texts in the 15th century, the word carried a negative connotation, synonymous with glutton:

"When the word gourmand first appeared in English texts in the 15th century, it was no compliment. Gourmand was a synonym of the word glutton that was reserved for a greedy eater who consumed well past the point of satiation."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:10]

This pejorative meaning persisted until the 17th century when English speakers borrowed the French word "gourmet," which possesses a more favorable implication. "Gourmet" came to describe a connoisseur of food and drink, setting the stage for "gourmand" to evolve in meaning.

Modern Usage and Expansion

Over time, "gourmand" has retained its original, less flattering sense while also embracing a softer meaning. Today, it not only describes someone with a hearty appetite for culinary pleasures but has also found its way beyond the realm of cuisine. Notably, in the world of perfumery, fragrances that evoke edible delights are termed "gourmands."

"More recently, gourmand has expanded beyond cuisine and into the world of perfumery. Fragrances that evoke edible pleasures are called gourmands."
— Peter Sokolowski [01:45]

This expansion underscores the word's adaptability and continued relevance in contemporary language.

Conclusion

Peter Sokolowski wraps up the episode by emphasizing the rich history and evolving nature of "gourmand." From its origins as a term for excessive eating to its current use in both gastronomy and perfumery, "gourmand" exemplifies how language transforms over time, reflecting cultural shifts and expanding into new domains.

For further exploration of words, definitions, and trending language insights, listeners are encouraged to visit merriam-webster.com.

---

This summary captures the essence of the Merriam-Webster podcast episode on "gourmand," providing a detailed overview for those who seek to enhance their vocabulary and understanding of nuanced English terms.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

Foreign.

[Peter Sokolowski]

It'S the word of the day for January 21st and now a next.

[Unknown Speaker]

Level moment from ATT Business. Say you've sent out a gigantic shipment of pillows and they need to be there in time for International Sleep day. You've got AT and T5G so you're fully confident, but the vendor isn't responding and International Sleep Day is tomorrow. Luckily, AT&T 5G lets you deal with any issues with ease, so the pillows will get delivered and everyone can sleep soundly, especially you. ATT 5G requires a compatible plan and device coverage not available everywhere. Learn [e-mail] 5G Network.

[Peter Sokolowski]

Today's Word is gourmand. Also pronounced gourmand and spelled G O U R M A n D. Gourmand is a noun. A gourmand is a person who loves and appreciates good food and drink. Gourmand can also refer to someone who enjoys eating and drinking to excess. Here's the word used in a sentence from the Robb Report by Rachel Cormack. The deck sports a dining area with a barbecue and pizza oven. For gourmands. When the word gourmand first appeared in English texts in the 15th century, it was no compliment. Gourmand was a synonym of the word glutton that was reserved for a greedy eater who consumed well past the point of satiation. The word's negative connotation mostly remained until English speakers borrowed the similar sounding and much more positive word gourmet from French in the 17th century to describe a connoisseur of food and drink. Since then, while the original, unflattering sense of gourmand has remained, it has picked up an additional, softer sense, referring to someone who appreciates and has a hearty appetite for the pleasures of the table. More recently, gourmand has expanded beyond cuisine and into the world of perfumery. Fragrances that evoke edible pleasures are called gourmands. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

[Unknown Speaker]

Visit merriamwebster.com today for definitions, wordplay and trending. Word lookups.