[Sca-cooks] Interesting period words

[Huette von Ahrens]

Someone on the SCA-Bakers list asked about what
a female baker would be called.  In looking this
up in the OED, I found the word to be "Baxter"
It is also spelled bæcestre, bæcistre,
bæcystre, bakestre, bakestir, bacstare, baxstere,
backstare, backster, baxster, bakster.  The
earliest entry for the female baker is from 1390.
 The OED lists four instances of this meaning up 
to 1590, when the word changed to bakestress. 
However, there are a few even earlier references
to this word, but with no discernable reference 
to any sex.  The first of these comes from 1000
until 1550, when baxter was applied to a male
baker.

And, yes, for those wondering, brewster is a
female brewer.  Various spellings from 1308
through 1820. Although this too could mean a male
brewer from 1377 through 1550.

The things you learn from a dictionary ...

Huette

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Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they 
shall never cease to be amused.


		
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