How ‘bee’s knees’ became high praise, and why do recipes sound so bossy?

About this episode

This episode explores the origins of the phrase 'the bee's knees' and the authoritative tone of recipe language.

1188. This week, we look at how “the bee's knees” went from meaning something tiny to the cheeriest slang of the 1920s — and why it outlasted the cat's pajamas and the clam's overshoes. Then, we look at why recipes boss you around with phrases like “fold in cheese” and how cookbook language evolved from chatty medieval notes into clipped, no-nonsense commands. The "recipe" segment was by Karen Lunde, a career writer and former Quick & Dirty Tips editor. She writes I'll Go First, a Substack where she shares personal essays and memoir, then hands you a weekly writing prompt and a metaphorical pen. Find her on igofirst.org . 🔗  Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗  Share your familect recording in   Speakpipe  or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗  Watch my   LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗  Subscribe to the   newsletter . 🔗  Find an edited   transcript . 🔗  Get   Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of  the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer:  Castria Communications Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations…

People in this episode

Host: Mignon Fogarty

Topics covered

• slang evolution
• recipe language
• 1920s phrases
• cookbook history
• language development

Keywords

• bee's knees
• slang
• recipes
• language
• cookbooks
• 1920s
• cheesy phrases

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Quick & Dirty Tips, Grammar Girl, Acast

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