The English language can be quite quirky when it comes to naming things, and the terms we use for food and cooking methods are no exception. The words "cookies" and "bacon" have unique histories and origins that contribute to their current usage.
- Cookies: The term "cookie" originated from the Dutch word "koekje," which means "little cake." Early cookie recipes were closer to small, sweet cakes than the cookies we know today. Over time, the word evolved in the English language, and "cookie" became the common term used in the United States and Canada. In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, they are often called "biscuits."
As for the use of the word "bake" with cookies, it refers to the method of cooking them. Baking involves cooking food using dry heat in an oven. When you bake cookies, you place the cookie dough on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven until they are done.
- Bacon: The word "bacon" has its roots in Old High German and Old French, with variations of "bako" and "bacun" that referred to pork meat. It eventually became the term used for the cured and smoked pork belly that we know as bacon today.
The word "cook" is used with bacon because it refers to the cooking method. When you cook bacon, you typically place it in a skillet or frying pan and apply heat, often until it becomes crispy.
In summary, the names "cookies" and "bacon" have historical origins and specific meanings related to their particular foods. The use of "bake" with cookies and "cook" with bacon reflects the cooking methods commonly associated with preparing each type of food. It's just one of the many idiosyncrasies of the English language!