Hamfare

/ˈhæmfɛr/ noun

Definition

Archaic or dialectal term for a poor or cheap meal, or unpalatable food of low quality.

Etymology

From 'ham' (home) and 'fare' (food), originally describing the simple or meager food that poor households might eat at home, particularly ham as a cheap protein source.

Kelly Says

The term captures class distinctions in historical diet—'hamfare' was literally the food poor people actually ate, while wealthy people disdained it; the word itself is a kind of linguistic sneer at peasant and working-class cuisine!

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