E G O S P E W

Pseudointellectual Language Discussion #73
More Questions Than Answers

How is it that “honeycomb” became the authoritative nomenclature when describing a hexagonal pattern?

Bee’s Honeycomb	Cow’s Reticulum

Due to its distinctive surface pattern, a semi-popular deli meat is called “honeycomb tripe”. Tripe comes from the reticulum, i.e. the second stomach, of a ruminant, e.g. cow. No bees were involved. Except for pollinating the clover the cows put in their reticulum.

When our ancestors decided to start naming food, was everyone familiar with beehives before cow stomachs? Was there a linguistic battle in ancient Gaul between les bouchers et les apiculteurs? Perhaps apiasts had a more powerful lobby in L’Académie française. I can almost hear it now.
« M. Le Boucher, l’estomach au monde du miel? Tu es fou. Tu parles français comme une vache espagnol! »
« Sacre bleu! Et vous– Vous êtes une bête béchamel! »
« En garde. »
« Pourquoi vous. . . ! (Why you. . . !) »
And the apiast, already appropriately suited and helmeted, whips out his épée and deftly slices in mid air the pieces of meat heaved in his direction.

I’m not entirely sure who won. That is, who should feel complimented, the bee or the cow? In any case, we don’t get honey from a tripecomb.

I suppose you could go to the source and ask.
“Mr. Bee, are you proud of your social organization and honeycomb?”
“Bzzzz.”
“Might I have a taste of that?”
“BZZZ.”
“Ouch.”

“So Mrs. Cow, are you proud of your social organization and tasty honeycomb tripe?”
“Moo?”
“May I have a delicious little piece?”
“MOO.”
“Nevermind.”

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I believe I’ll just have a nice bowl of cereal then lay rubber in my Hummer.  Ciao.