The Diner's Dictionary

Reviews / Votes

Review from previous edition stuffed with delightful morsels in a digestible form ... essential reading for those who want to know not only what they are eating but also why it is called what it is * Independent * Be warned - this is a dangerously fascinating book. Each time I look something up I'm side-tracked from one entry to another and lost to the world for a good half an hour or more. At least one pan has been boiled dry and black as a result. * Sophie Grigson * Fascinating A to Z guide on the meaning, origin, and development of over 1,200 food and drink terms old and new. A must for those venturing into New World cuisines and a jolly good laid back read. * Alexander Hunt, Midweek * Snippets and essaylets combine whimsy and erudition in equal measures. It is more lively than typical reference works, but also literate, factually sure-footed, and useful. * Michael Raffael, Sunday Telegraph * Did you know that lasagne ultimately comes from a word meaning chamber pot? I love this sort of dotty reference book, useful for crossword puzzles and general browsing. * Jennifer Patterson, London Evening Standard * wickedly amusing * New Statesman & Society * a fascinating book ... a comprehensive account of the meaning and origins of foods and drinks * Leicester Mercury * Thanks to John Ayto's dictionary ... for these thoughts on haggis - and for many other stimulating suggestions on the names for other foodstuffs. * Daily Telegraph * an olla podrida of entertaining and recondite information * Observer * the book itself is fascinating, the kind of dip-into reference work that has you happily browsing an hour later .. Every kitchen - or bedroom - shelf should have this book. * Lesley Garner, Sunday Telegraph * A quirky, irresistible volume * Good Book Guide *