Where did the word picnic come from

How do we have these necessary conversations about language without sounding like the language police? The idea was surprising to many, but old news to others. Etymologically speakingpicnic — from the French words pique-nique — is nothing more than a potluck dinner.

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe. Frederick Douglass. Is it true that the word picnic originally came from the word pick-a-nig or pick-a-nigger? Apparently, a black person was randomly "picked" and hanged for the entertainment of whites. The whites, including families, ate from box lunches while enjoying the barbaric act. If this is true we should stop using the word picnic, replacing it with outing or gathering.

Where did the word picnic come from

Picnics are a fun and inexpensive way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. Though picnics have been around since the beginning of human existence, the modern picnic was shaped in the 18th century — long before plastic containers and the invention of the thermos. Some time in the 17th century, the meaning of the word changed to mean dining outside on a blanket. This change likely occurred after the French term was substituted by the English word. In the Middle Ages, picnics occurred during royal hunts, which typically started as formal affairs but could quickly become wild and excessive. These picnics were often depicted in artwork, such as the ballads of Robin Hood and the Bayeux tapestry. The Victorians also enjoyed picnics — but they believed picnics could be enjoyed by all, not just the wealthy. Common picnic foods during the 19th century included roast duck or chicken, meat pie, plum pudding, cheesecake and cold roast beef. To drink, picnickers would have beer, clarety, sherry and brandy. The frankfurter made its way from Germany to American shores during the 19th century and was remade into the hot dog, which became a staple at baseball games, street side food carts and eventually picnics. Another interesting tidbit about picnics is the fact that potluck — a predecessor of the modern picnic — dates back to the Great Depression in the s. With millions of Americans pinching pennies and doing their best to put food on the table, one of the best ways to feed everyone was to ask each guest to bring a dish and share with everyone. Many picnics today are a form of potluck, where guests bring casseroles, pies and dips. Modern-day picnics have become much simpler and casual, with picnickers enjoying fried chicken, chilled watermelon and beer. Southern picnics have their own unique menu, which typically includes barbecue, potato salad, buttermilk biscuits, cornbread and sweet potato pie.

It was quite a gala occasion, and as soon as the corpse was cut down all the crowd betook themselves to the park to see a game of baseball. Examples of picnic in a Sentence.

A picnic is a meal taken outdoors al fresco as part of an excursion , especially in scenic surroundings, such as a park , lakeside, or other place affording an interesting view, or else in conjunction with a public event such as preceding an open-air theater performance, [1] and usually in summer or spring. It is different from other meals because it requires free time to leave home. History shows us that the idea of a meal that was jointly contributed to and enjoyed out-of-doors was essential to picnic from the early 19th century. Picnickers like to sit on the ground on a rug or blanket. Tables and chairs may be used but this is less common.

This word is from French pique-nique , probably formed with reduplication from the verb piquer , to pick. Another explanation is that the second element is the noun nique , of imitative origin and meaning small thing of little or no value. En vers burlesque The charming effects of barricades, or the lasting friendship of the Company of the Bacchic brothers of Pique-nique. In burlesque verse. This pamphlet celebrates the end of the first Fronde, an insurrection against Mazarin and the court during the minority of Louis XIV, which was a period a food scarcity in Paris under siege. This word is not old in our language; and it is unknown in most of our provinces. Both this definition and the first attestation indicate that this dining custom originated in Paris.

Where did the word picnic come from

Detail of Bayeux Tapestry: William at the battle of Hastings. Image by Myrabella, , licensed under Creative Commons. Men, women, and children sitting on blankets and eating and drinking in a bucolic setting.

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Retrieved 13 July Peanut gallery , born in the vaudeville era, refers to the cheap seats in the theater where Black people were allowed to sit. As noted by Dominic J. Word of the Day. Webster's Third New International Dictionary. Accessed 3 Mar. We want our history to be built on truths. It's never too early to start. So if you stop using the word picnic , does that really change anything? Urbana: University of Illinois Press, p. This history has meaning and we want to tell our story not have our story which has been masked, told and interpreted by those who do not share our history! London: Hambledon Press. Category Commons. Dictionary Definition.

About this rating. Specious etymologies seem to be all the rage of late, and a dubious claim about 'picnic' fits that trend:. This e-mail is being sent to you as a public service announcement and as information in the form of a little known Black History Fact.

Outdoor games or some other form of entertainment are common at large picnics. One Mississippi newspaper referred to these gruesome acts as "Negro barbeques. Article Talk. In the Middle Ages, picnics occurred during royal hunts, which typically started as formal affairs but could quickly become wild and excessive. When the niggers get so they are not afraid of being lynched, it is time to put the fear in them. It is clear that picnic was not derived from "pick-a-nigger," "pick-a-nig," or similar racist phrases. Cite this Entry. Time Traveler. Blacks, Picnics and Lynching's. Examples of picnic in a Sentence. L'Obs in French. Read Edit View history.