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.

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.

Where did the word picnic come from

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. Your question has several components; we will address each component. The etymology of the word picnic does not suggest racist or racial overtones. Picnic was originally a 17th Century French word, picque-nique. Its meaning was similar to today's meaning: a social gathering where each attendee brings a share of the food. The French piquer may have referred to a leisurely style of eating "pick at your food" or it may, simply, have meant, "pick" pic. The nique was probably a silly rhyming compound as in English words like hoity-toity , but may have referred to an obsolete word meaning "a trifle. This suggests that the word had been used for some time in France. The term picnic does not appear in the English language until around

New York: Oxford University Press. Let the Planning Begin! Time Traveler.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'picnic. Send us feedback about these examples. German or French; German Picknick , from French pique-nique. Accessed 3 Mar. Nglish: Translation of picnic for Spanish Speakers.

The first picnics were a favourite pastime of the aristocracy, and purely indoor affairs. In the 19th century, the emergent middle classes moved lunch outdoors. It is hard to disagree with W. Even if ants and wasps occasionally join the fun, picnics are the very epitome of innocent pastoral delight. What is certain, however, is that, originally, it did not refer to anything we would now recognise as a picnic. Picnics really started to come into their own during the 18th century.

Where did the word picnic come from

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. He also mentions the form pic-nic probably after English and la loi de pic-nic , the picnic law , according to which each person pays their share. This implies that the French word did not specifically denote a meal eaten outdoors , as it now does after the recent English usage.

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Look up picnic or picnicking in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. As noted by Dominic J. It is different from other meals because it requires free time to leave home. Retrieved 1 July Phrases Containing picnic. 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! 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. Link Icon. Can you solve 4 words at once? Mrs Beeton's picnic menus in her Book of Household Management of are 'lavish and extravagant', according to Claudia Roden. And people in power make life or death decisions for others based on this structure. To keep saying Picnic is saying you have no respect for Black American's feelings.

About this rating. Specious etymologies seem to be all the rage of late, and a dubious claim about 'picnic' fits that trend:.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'picnic. 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. Leaving the mainstream, they now passed into what seemed at first like a little land-locked lake. 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. 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. Link Icon. The Mole begged as a favour to be allowed to unpack it all by himself; and the Rat was very pleased to indulge him, and to sprawl at full length on the grass and rest, while his excited friend shook out the table-cloth and spread it, took out all the mysterious packets one by one and arranged their contents in due order, still gasping, 'O my! New York: Random House. Webster's Third New International Dictionary. In many cases -- arguably in most cases -- lynch mobs had a particular target and confined their heinous aggression to a specific person. Nglish: Translation of picnic for Spanish Speakers. The Victorians also enjoyed picnics — but they believed picnics could be enjoyed by all, not just the wealthy. Blossom Word Game You can make only 12 words. Also, White, Walter,