1920s Quote by Bill Bryson
““By the 1920s if you wanted to work behind a lunch counter you needed to know that 'Noah's boy' was a slice of ham (since Ham was one of Noah’s sons) and that 'burn one' or 'grease spot' designated a hamburger. 'He'll take a chance' or 'clean the kitchen' meant an order of hash, 'Adam and Eve on a raft' was two poached eggs on toast, 'cats' eyes' was tapioca pudding, 'bird seed' was cereal, 'whistleberries' were baked beans, and 'dough well done with cow to cover' was the somewhat labored way of calling for an order of toast and butter. Food that had been waiting too long was said to be 'growing a beard'. Many of these shorthand terms have since entered the mainstream, notably BLT for a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, 'over easy' and 'sunny side up' in respect of eggs, and 'hold' as in 'hold the mayo'.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost City of Z, 2005
Restaurant workers used coded slang to quickly convey orders, turning everyday phrases into shorthand for menu items.
In simple terms: Food slang helped staff communicate fast.
Key Takeaway
Learn common food slang for efficient kitchen communication.
Themes
communication
food industry
slang
Mood
informative
nostalgic
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- restaurant kitchen
- fast food service
- historical research
- menu design
Key Concepts
linguistics
cultural history
efficiency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does slang affect teamwork in high‑pressure environments?
- What modern terms have replaced these old codes?
A Different Perspective
Slang can be confusing for new staff or customers unfamiliar with the codes.
