Ketchup (Etymology)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketchup#Early_uses_in_English
The spelling catsup seems to have appeared first from the pen of Jonathan Swift, in 1730.
My father (whom we affectionately refer to as “Old Man River”) insists on spelling ketchup “catsup.” I’ve always assumed this was just the old-fashioned way; considering he also often calls the refrigerator the “icebox” and glue “stickum,” that assumption seems pretty reasonable.
One time he called the parking meter a “time machine.” That was unintentional but hilarious all the same. I am proud to share chromosomes with this man.
I got to thinking (as I often do, while staring in the icebox) about the actual word “catsup.” Catsup does not even remotely look like it should be pronounced catch-up to me. I see cat-sup or cats-up. Cat sup is gelatinous meat byproduct that I dump into bowls for my cats to sup on. Cats-up is the rallying cry for the pro-feline movement. Cats up, dogs down!
Neither of which reminds me of a tomato-based condiment.
Oh, Catsup, Catsup, wherefore art thou Catsup? Wikipedia is minimally helpful in this quest. According to the article (which does not cite sources for this), the sauce called “ke-tsiap” was invented in China. A debate with multiple theories of origins apparently rages on concerning the actual name of the sauce, but by the late 17th century it had come to be known as ketchup or catchup. Jonathan Swift (author of A Modest Proposal, my all-time favorite works of literature), in the following quote from A Panegyrick on the Dean, appears to have introduced the spelling in question into the popular consciousness:
And, for our home-bred British cheer, Botargo, catsup, and caveer.
That’s all Wikipedia has to offer, on that end.
World Wide Words (another favorite website of mine besides Wikipedia) is more helpful. It’s a neat little article with fun facts such as early ketchups contained no tomatoes, instead using ingredients like anchovies, mushrooms, and walnuts. And “catsup” appears to be merely J. Swift’s corruption of “catchup,” much like how “caveer” is a corruption of “caviar.” But in the end, who knows?
Boy, I’m sure glad I spent an hour and a half on this whole endeavor! Somebody make me a goddamn burger.
