All that comes with it

Whilst talking to Greg and Deb on the web cam last night I confidently made the statement that macaroni cheese was an English invention, created in the 1800’s by the British Pasta Society as a way of introducing a bland pasta dish that would suit our pallet. After extensive research on the web this morning I have uncovered that I was talking absolute rubbish. I don’t know who invented it but it appears to have been around since the days of Marco Polo. I apologise for my complete ignorance and fully intend on giving the person who originally told me this disinformation a jolly good beating, just as soon as I can remember who it was. It’s a shame, because Greg and Deb appeared very impressed by my encyclopaedic knowledge.

In a desperate attempt to redeem myself in their eyes I offer you this: During the 18th century it was the fashion for young aristocratic Englishmen to take a grand tour of Europe, particularly Italy. These young men were influenced by their travels and became known as macaronis for their dandyish clothes and foreign affectations. As a natural evolution the word macaroni soon became used to describe the elaborate hairstyles that these young men sported. This is why (and here comes the payoff folks) when Yankee Doodle came to town when riding on his pony, he stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni. Of course you are already aware that the Doodle in Yankee Doodle comes from the German word for simpleton. The British sang the song in order to ridicule American colonists, the Americans then adopting it as a form of self-defence.

On another macaroni related note. We had macaroni cheese for dinner tonight. I had the meal all ready for when Kerry got home from work. How do you like them apples Greg?