When Noodles Were Considered Meat

Semantic narrowing is a linguistic process where the meaning of a word becomes more specific over time. It occurs to enhance communication efficiency and reflect cultural changes. For example, the word “hound originally referred to any canine but now specifically means a hunting dog. “Meat“ once meant any food, but now refers to animal flesh. Similarly, “bird“ was a broader term for small animals but now designates a specific animal class. This narrowing helps convey precise meanings and accommodates evolving knowledge. By specializing words, language becomes more efficient, reflects cultural shifts, and facilitates clear communication in specific domains or contexts. Stitch with cooking visuals from: @EarlyAmerican