Taster

/ˈteɪ.stər/ noun

Definition

A person whose job is to taste food or drinks to check their quality, flavor, or safety.

Etymology

From the verb 'taste' combined with the agent suffix '-er.' In medieval courts, royal tasters would sample food and wine first to detect poison before the monarch ate. The practice dates back to ancient times when poisoning was a common assassination method.

Kelly Says

Medieval royal tasters had one of history's most dangerous jobs—if the king was being poisoned, they'd die first, taking one for the team! Wine tasters and food critics do similar work today, but hopefully with much less risk of assassination.

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