[Sca-cooks] wick-a-wack? (OOP)

[Terry Decker]

I have ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE for this idea, so take it with a salt shaker.

There is a modern geological term, "wacke" used to describe a sandstone that 
has formed from basaltic rock which has decomposed in situ.  The word 
derives from a German miner's term for rock, wacke, which appears to have 
derived from wack(e)lig meaning shaky or unsteady.

The German "Vich" means "dumb beast," "animal" "brute," or "cattle" 
depending on how you use it.

"Vichenwacke" might be a colloquial combinative word for a dish made of 
animal parts that resembles wacke, the sandstone.  A little mispronunciation 
would give you wick-a-wack.

Finding any evidence for or against this idea will likely be a problem. 
I've done some cursory checking and there is nothing easily available.  I 
think the best source to research this further would be some high end 
dictionaries of colloquial German.

Bear

> There's an interesting post (and question) at The Old Foodie 
> <http://www.theoldfoodie.com/> today.  I don't know the answer, but maybe 
> somebody here does.  The recipe is from "Home pork making; a complete 
> guide ... in all that pertains to hog slaughtering, curing,  preserving, 
> and storing pork product--from scalding vat to kitchen table and dining 
> room" (Chicago, 1900) by Albert Fulton.
>
> German Wick-a-Wack
> Save rinds of salt pork, boil until tender, then chop very fine, add an 
> equal amount of dried bread dipped in hot water and chopped. Season with 
> salt, pepper, and summer savory; mix, spread one inch deep in baking dish, 
> cover with sweet milk. Bake one-half hour. Very nice.
>
> She's never seen the term "wick-a-wack" before, and wonders where it came 
> from.
>
> Sandra