'Currying being a type of grooming that uses a brush made to clean and smooth a horse’s coat, etymologically unrelated to the family of sauce-based dishes of the same name.'
See, this is when footnotes come into their own. I've never been unduly concerned about the favour, it was the currying that gave me pause
The curry combs I use are made of moulded plastic with a grid of bumps and a strap to secure it to your hand. It’s very similar to shower massage implements for humans, and the massaging effect seems to be enjoyed by horses.
This is incredible I’ve been calling everyone I know and telling them about this. So far 100% positive reception, people are thrilled to know about Fauvel the sinful horse. I’ve literally become more popular thanks to this article. 10/10.
The whole thing brought Drumpf to mind for me as well. The clincher was when the article mentioned that Fauvel was supposed to represent the King of France. Bingo!
It’s notable that medieval illustrations of sycophants currying favour would bear stunning resemblance to the likes of Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnell, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson.
This was such an informative and hilarious read. I'll be thinking about the phrase "unabashed wickedness wearing the skin of a barnyard creature" for some time!!
Underscoring for the gorjillionth time that I was born 600 years too late.
> speculation that Fauvel may have been staged as a play or sort of proto-musical,
How could it not?
The horse cult of Eurasia, and particularly NW Europe horse worship, was a mighty thread over thousands of years. We would expect it to be recast continually in any and all new media over those millennia. And we'd expect it to be recast, for urban audiences, as the moral journey, given these settled/sedentary people lived differently than their nomadic equestrian I-E ancestors...but retained the mythos and memes, per the Law of Conservation of Memory.
"Chivalry" culture--dating to, what, about 1200 AD?--is named for the Latinate word for horse (distinct from the PIE/IE ekwo iirc...).
So by the 1300s, and the rise of an urbanized dramatic culture, we'd expect to se these themes and characters carried forward.
late 13c., "to rub down a horse," from Anglo-French curreier "to curry-comb a horse," from Old French correier "put in order, prepare, curry," from con-, intensive prefix (see com-), + reier "arrange," from a Germanic source
Thank you for the time and effort spent researching and sharing this.
I've called myself a "horse lover" my whole life... that takes on a whole new 🤮 with this information. I now have a "deep respect and appreciation" for my equine partners, and will no longer call it 'love'!
While they do love to be curried, it's my favor they desire. It's one thing I do for them to keep them healthy and happy, and they do as I ask, in return. Curry=favor😆
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon this. The picture immediately drew me in as I love the weird, medieval art at the Cloisters in NYC. And then to read the article - so great - thanks for doing your thing, weird medieval guys!
This is delightful. I've never heard of Fauvel and am happy to have the etymology of the phrase illuminated-- and with such charming illuminations too. I love the pictures as much as the story.
'Currying being a type of grooming that uses a brush made to clean and smooth a horse’s coat, etymologically unrelated to the family of sauce-based dishes of the same name.'
See, this is when footnotes come into their own. I've never been unduly concerned about the favour, it was the currying that gave me pause
love a footnote i do!
The curry combs I use are made of moulded plastic with a grid of bumps and a strap to secure it to your hand. It’s very similar to shower massage implements for humans, and the massaging effect seems to be enjoyed by horses.
That is amazing! You are the Hercule Poirot of investigating language origins! Thank you for a great read!
HIGH PRAISE thank you!!!
This is incredible I’ve been calling everyone I know and telling them about this. So far 100% positive reception, people are thrilled to know about Fauvel the sinful horse. I’ve literally become more popular thanks to this article. 10/10.
Until you mentioned that the whole thing was a satire on the French king of the time, I was thinking, how did this medieval writer know about Trump?
Anyway, fascinating exploration of the origins of currying favour, which I had no idea about.
And there’s a linguistic term for when a more familiar word gets substituted for a less familiar one in a popular phrase (I think it’s an “eggcorn”).
Confirmed : it’s an egg corn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggcorn
The whole thing brought Drumpf to mind for me as well. The clincher was when the article mentioned that Fauvel was supposed to represent the King of France. Bingo!
i don't remember this episode of Bojack Horseman
It’s notable that medieval illustrations of sycophants currying favour would bear stunning resemblance to the likes of Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnell, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson.
Fallow seems fairly close to a shade of orange to my eyes.
This was such an informative and hilarious read. I'll be thinking about the phrase "unabashed wickedness wearing the skin of a barnyard creature" for some time!!
Very Animal Farm, perhaps Mr Orwell was familiar with Fauvell. ☺️
Came here to say the same!!! I'm in linguistic heaven
It has been translated into English. There is a whole dissertation on it. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/etd/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=ucin1649771378577952
Thank you! Just edited to add this!
Thank you! Reading it!
Underscoring for the gorjillionth time that I was born 600 years too late.
> speculation that Fauvel may have been staged as a play or sort of proto-musical,
How could it not?
The horse cult of Eurasia, and particularly NW Europe horse worship, was a mighty thread over thousands of years. We would expect it to be recast continually in any and all new media over those millennia. And we'd expect it to be recast, for urban audiences, as the moral journey, given these settled/sedentary people lived differently than their nomadic equestrian I-E ancestors...but retained the mythos and memes, per the Law of Conservation of Memory.
"Chivalry" culture--dating to, what, about 1200 AD?--is named for the Latinate word for horse (distinct from the PIE/IE ekwo iirc...).
So by the 1300s, and the rise of an urbanized dramatic culture, we'd expect to se these themes and characters carried forward.
wonderful point!
I think you made all that up after watching Bojack Horseman.
From Etymonline.com
curry(v.)
late 13c., "to rub down a horse," from Anglo-French curreier "to curry-comb a horse," from Old French correier "put in order, prepare, curry," from con-, intensive prefix (see com-), + reier "arrange," from a Germanic source
Thank you for the time and effort spent researching and sharing this.
I've called myself a "horse lover" my whole life... that takes on a whole new 🤮 with this information. I now have a "deep respect and appreciation" for my equine partners, and will no longer call it 'love'!
While they do love to be curried, it's my favor they desire. It's one thing I do for them to keep them healthy and happy, and they do as I ask, in return. Curry=favor😆
Haha, we live and we learn! Just don’t let any of your horses become king….
I'm so happy to have stumbled upon this. The picture immediately drew me in as I love the weird, medieval art at the Cloisters in NYC. And then to read the article - so great - thanks for doing your thing, weird medieval guys!
Exceptionally well researched and written. I enjoy etymology so this was a feast!
thank you!
I love curry. In the Philippines it would be “to adobe favor.”
This is delightful. I've never heard of Fauvel and am happy to have the etymology of the phrase illuminated-- and with such charming illuminations too. I love the pictures as much as the story.