22/09/2025
Ever wondered why we raise 'cows' but eat 'beef'? The Norman Conquest of 1066 holds the key to this culinary mystery.
After William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings, a new French-speaking ruling class was established in England. This created a major divide, not just in power, but in language.
The Anglo-Saxon peasants, who did the hard work of raising the animals, continued using their Old English words. They tended the 'cลซ' (cow), 'swฤซn' (swine or pig), and 'sฤฤap' (sheep). ๐ฎ
But at the dinner tables of the wealthy Norman lords, French was spoken. When the meat was served, they used their own words for it.
So 'le bลuf' (the cow) became 'beef' on the plate. 'Le porc' (the pig) became 'pork.' And 'le mouton' (the sheep) became 'mutton.' ๐ฅฉ
This linguistic split was a clear reflection of the class structure of the time. The English words were for the barnyard, and the French words were for the dining hall.
Over centuries, both sets of words became a permanent part of the English language. It's a fascinating piece of history we still see on our menus today.
This linguistic legacy shows how a single historical event can shape a language for a thousand years.
Sources: Historical linguistic journals, archaeological studies
