Vocabulary: Christmas Words To Learn

Christmas is drawing near and everyone is starting to get into their long-waited holiday mood (if not already in this mood since the beginning of December). However, let's not get too lazy before the holidays actually begin, why not learn some vocabulary about Christmas so that you can use them when you are shopping?

The first thing you should do now is going to read my December 2009 article named "Vocabulary: Christmas Stuff @ Locky's English Playground" (don't forget to "Like" the article) and refresh your memory of some very key basic words.

Then you should read on in this article for some more festive objects and their history! Would be kind of fun sharing them with your friends.

Christmas Food
Actually, different countries have very different Christmas food [1]. Christmas turkey maybe the most recognised and Mr. Bean's favourite but it is still not the ultimate food eaten in Christmas. In fact, for countries which do celebrate Christmas, I think only one thing is universal, and that is chocolate! But cakes and barbecue meat are not to be forgotten.


Gingerbread Man

Gingy the Gingerbread Man
Image from animatedviews.com

One of the words which comes out no matter in Christmas or not, Gingerbread is a wide-known festive food, an animation character and a version of the Android OS. Not to mention that it is also one of my favourite cute objects.
According to Wikipedia,
"Gingerbread dates back to the 15th century, and figural biscuit-making was practiced in the 16th century.^[1] The first documented instance of figure-shaped gingerbread biscuits appearing was in the court of Elizabeth I of England. She had the gingerbread figures made and presented in the likeness of some of her important guests.^[2]"

And according to the Guiness Book of Records,
"the world’s largest gingerbread man was made on December 2, 2006 by the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce in Smithville, Texas, United States at their annual Festival of Lights celebration. The gingerbread man weighed in at 1,308 lbs, 8 oz,^[3] and stood at over 20 feet.

How does it look like?

The world's largest gingerbread man cooked
over an open fire Dec. 1 2006 in Smithville,  Texas, USA
Image from franlan.com

Here's a great photo album website devoted to all Gingy lovers!
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/gingy/pool/interesting/


Candy Canes

Candy cane originated in Germany in 1670s and it was first made to keep the children from making noises when the choir is practising. it was made into a stick to remind the children of the shepherds who paid visits to baby Jesus [2].

It is also one of the sweet food I dislike but I really don't know why.

Apple Cider

Apple Cider
Image from blogspot.com

The drink for Christmas, apple cider is the most original, most natural seasonal drink, foggy brown in colour made from fresh apples, untreated and unfiltered. "Hot apple cider" or "mulled cider" is made after heating with cinnamon, orange peel, nutmeg, cloves or other spices[3], depending on personal preferences.

Christmas Cake / Christstollen

Christstollen
Image from Wikipedia

One of my favourite cakes when I am exceptionally hungry, the Christstollen is said to be a German cake made from orange and lemon peels, raisins, dried fruits, nuts, rum and cinnamon. The English version is called Christmas cake and the difference is the use of icing sugar on the cake top (they love icing on everything basically).

Icing Christmas cake
Image from pixiesdidit.com

According to Wikipedia, Stollen was baked for the first time as Christmas pastry at the Saxon Royal Court in 1427 and was made with flour, yeast, oil and water [4].

Mince Pie

Image from Wikipedia

Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, chicken, pork, beef, mutton, fruits, etc. Basically, anything! Depends on what you prefer, mince pie is one presentable yet easy to make Christmas food. My favourite? Apple pie!

The history of the mince pie traces back to the 11th to the 13th Century at the time of the Crusades [5] [6].


Alright, that's all for today!

Do "like" this article and our English Playground!

Resources:
Mr Bean - Nativity Scene @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDOO3FvGsZ4

Vocabulary: Christmas Stuff @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/12/vocabulary-christmas-stuff.html

[1] Christmas Food @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_food

Gingerbread man @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingerbread_man

Most interesting photos from gingy pool @ Flickr
http://www.flickriver.com/groups/gingy/pool/interesting/

[House MD] S1E5 - Candy Canes? @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiV2rc7kRE4

[2] Candy Cane @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_cane

[3] Apple Cider @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_cider

[4] Christstollen @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christstollen

Christmas cake @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cake

[5] Mince pie @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mince_pie

 [6] Crusades @ Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades