Scotch egg
noun phrase

- a boiled egg that has been covered with a mixture of crushed meat, spices, and bread, and then fried

The Cambridge Dictionary

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ORIGIN

“In 1738, we created the most delicious portable pick-me-up in the form of the SCOTCH EGG. This year you can enjoy one of our greatest creations with a delicious Christmassy twist. The perfect addition to a Christmas Eve or Boxing Day lunch” claims Fortnum & Mason of Piccadilly, London.

Further research reveals that the practice of encasing a pre-cooked egg in crushed meat, etc. developed neither in Scotland nor in England, but probably in North Africa. The technique made its way Britain via France and was first recorded in English during the reign of Elizabeth I.

Scotch eggs were originally spiced in order to cover the taste of 'less than fresh' meat. The origin of the actual term is obscure but may come from a corruption of the word ‘scorch’, alluding to being cooked over a naked flame.

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BTW here are some other “eggs” in English:

- a nest egg = a specific amount of money that’s been saved and kept aside
- to walk on eggshells = to be very careful and diplomatic when dealing with a very delicate situation
- to egg someone on = to encourage a person to do something silly
- a good egg / a bad egg = someone who is good and kind / someone who is bad and dishonest

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Practice OWAD in an English conversation, say something like

“Under the UK government’s new Covid-19 restrictions, pubs can remain open provided they SCOTCH EGGS with alcoholic drinks."

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A shout-out to JACKY for suggesting today’s word,…

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Paul Smith