[Sca-cooks] Pumpernickel (was Re: food myths (Turkey))

[Daniel Myers]

On Wednesday, September 18, 2002, at 04:08 PM, vongraph wrote:

> I was recently told that the term pumpernickle bread is derived form
> the
> fact that Napoleon fed it to his horse Nichole? I thought it predated
> Napoleon does anyone know for sure?

Webster.com gives the following definition:

pum·per·nick·el
Pronunciation: 'p&m-p&r-"ni-k&l
Function: noun
Etymology: German, from pumpern to break wind + Nickel goblin; from its
reputed indigestibility
Date: 1756
: a dark coarse sourdough bread made of unbolted rye flour

While this etymology (goblin fart) sounds pretty goofy, from my
experience it's perfectly in line with the typical German sense of
humor.  I'd be really surprised if there was any connection to
Napoleon's horse.


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  Edouard Halidai  (Daniel Myers)
  http://www.medievalcookery.com/
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