Writing about food is one of those activities that may seem easy, but is actually a little more difficult than it can at first appear. Of course, all of the usual writing considerations must be taken into account, such as good grammar, the right tone, and correct punctuation. However, the vocabulary can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem is that too many words used when describing food just don\u2019t really describe anything at all. Or else they are just too clich\u00e9, or in the worst-case scenario, put people right off the food that you should in fact be encouraging them to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here is a list of some of the words that just don\u2019t cut it when talking about food, along with some alternatives that will hit the spot just that much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem with the word \u2018tasty\u2019 is that it really tells us nothing. All food, almost without exception, has a taste of something (anyone with an imagination can, therefore, describe it), so using this word, which has really come to mean that something tastes \u2018good\u2019, really gives us no detail at all. It\u2019s a bit like saying something tastes \u2018good\u2019!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives: <\/strong>Absolutely any description of the food that reveals in detail why the taste is positive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spicy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The problem with this word is it is now used to mean something which is laden with chili, when in fact its connotation is that it is full of spices, which of course can include anything (and perhaps no chili whatsoever).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Why not actually mention the spices that are prevalent in the taste, or if it is full of chili, then say that. \u2018Hot\u2019 definitely doesn\u2019t hit the mark either, because you could just as easily be talking about the temperature.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
Delicious<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This word is useless because not only is it subjective (something that is delicious for one person may absolutely not be for another) but it is now so ubiquitous that it has become practically meaningless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Talk about the blend of flavors, and if it really is something that you would recommend, then be specific as to why.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Moist<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Did you know that the word \u2018moist\u2019 is regularly voted as one of the most hated words in the English language? The problem is the sound of the word (for some people), and also the word\u2019s connotation (for others). You see, it has become somewhat connected to bodily fluids.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not really a bad word to use if truth be told. A cake that is soft and \u2018liquidy\u2019 really should be described as \u2018moist\u2019, but for this irrational dislike that people have for the word. It\u2019s probably best avoided, which is a shame really because for accurate descriptions it really should be a winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, and it\u2019s synonym \u2018soggy\u2019 should never be used! Never.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> juicy, rich with liquid.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Moorish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This invented word has come to mean something that entices you to eat (or drink) more. That can really be applied to so many things that it again becomes a redundant term. A synonym is addictive, but this word has too many negative connotations to be considered a worthy alternative too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Enchanting, bewitching, beguiling.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Organic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where do we even start with this word? Organic has become a buzzword for anything and everything that goes against the mass-produced norm, but the irony is that organic has become so prevalent that it itself has become mass-produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, the principle is a good one. It is the right <\/em>one. The problem really is that the word has become so ubiquitous on a vast range of products that we have lost sight of what it actually means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternative:<\/strong> Talk specifically about the food journey involved with the product so readers get a real sense of where it came from<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Foodie<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A foodie has come to represent some sort of special class of people who really cares about food and understands it. But really, when you think about it, with a few exceptions, we are all foodies (not least because without it, we wouldn\u2019t last very long). The problem with a foodie is that it is exclusive like it\u2019s a club that not everyone can be a member of, and when it comes to food, that\u2019s just not the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We all have foods that we are enthusiastic about, and we have our own way of preparing and enjoying the food that we eat. We are all foodies, so the word itself is really a redundant expression.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Chefs, professional cooks, or just avoid the term completely.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Yummy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This word is cute when you are five years old. Anything older and it is simply a bit immature and, a bit like \u2018tasty\u2019 and \u2018delicious\u2019, not really descriptive at all. Yummy (which has also found itself attached to the word \u2018mummy\u2019 in recent times to describe something else equally as poorly, not to mention in a way that is very un PC too) is juvenile and gives no real description to the food you are applying it too. So, find something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Again, absolutely any description of the food that reveals in detail why the taste is positive.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Nosh<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is an old slang word simply meaning \u2018food\u2019. The problem is that it makes food sound really unappetizing, so it really shouldn\u2019t be used at all. It\u2019s a lazy term that harks back to a time when people really didn\u2019t put the time and effort into cooking that the activity deserves. Nosh is from a bygone age, therefore, and really needs to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Cuisine, food, dish.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Gastro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gastro is a shortened version of the very scientific-sounding word \u2018gastronomy\u2019, which means the preparation and enjoyment of food. But there are two problems with the word gastro. The first is that it sounds like some sort of medical problem. The second is that it is way too scientific and clinical for something that really should be much more passionate, heartfelt, natural and accessible. Plus, for many British people, in particular, it represents a craze that has somewhat seen the demise of the classic English pub: the dreaded gastro-pub. It\u2019s either a restaurant or a pub. Make up your mind!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatives:<\/strong> Again, what\u2019s wrong with \u2018food\u2019? <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Writing about food is one of those activities that may seem easy, but is actually a little more difficult than it can at first appear. Of course, all of the usual writing considerations must be taken into account, such as good grammar, the right tone, and correct punctuation. However, the vocabulary can be a challenge. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1242,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[572],"tags":[468,573,552,577,588,575],"class_list":["post-1241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vocabulary","tag-english-learning","tag-language-learning","tag-learning-english","tag-learning-new-words","tag-personalized-learning","tag-words"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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