"FLIGHT" and "CHARGER" - Wordsmith.org

Does anyone know how "FLIGHT" came about for a sampling of wine or cheese

Also, what is the derivation of the word "CHARGER" for the plate that sits under the eating plate?

Thanks!

Never heard "flight" used that way, but maybe I'm not invited to the right parties. As for charger, Wordorigins cites the OED : The word first appears as the Middle English chargeour in the c.1305 work Legends of the Holy Rood:

"I was that cheef chargeour, I bar flesch for folkes feste."

The root in French is uncertain. It is either the Anglo-Norman chargeour meaning that which loads or the Old French chargeoir meaning a serving utensil. (Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition)

the COmpact OED online shows:

charger2

� noun archaic a large flat dish.

� ORIGIN Old French chargeour, from Latin carricare �to load�.

Hi caffrerr

I've never heard of flight being used for a wine and cheese tasting.

(and I've been to many of those.)

*HUGS* You can come to mine next time I have one, Alex

I know this term for beer only, not wine and/or cheese, but that could just be a regional thing.

Around here, some pubs with many beers on tap will offer you a flight (you have to pay for it, of course) of 4 or 5 different draft brews in slightly-larger than shot-sized glasses.

Then you decide which pint(s) you want.

But no, I don't know the origin.

I don't propose to be knowledgable on the subject, but logical deduction leads me to believe the idea behind "FLIGHT" was to make a trip around the world (room); sampling wines/beers/liquors from different countries.
I picture it as similar to Walt Disney World, where you can visit (fake) countries.

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'Tis better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

how interesting! i actually had a beer flight for a birthday party once, only i didn't know the term. in lieu of getting a keg, i bought numerous brands of beer from around the world, the sort of stuff you see at the big liquor stores and say "hmm, interesting!" as you bypass them on the way to the bass ale. we had a great time and i discovered that my new favorite beer was...bass ale.

anyway i've since moved on to wine mostly and will happily attend one of belMarduk's soires, especially if i can learn about some good dry reds for under $10/bottle.

Quote:

the COmpact OED online shows:

charger2

� noun archaic a large flat dish.

� ORIGIN Old French chargeour, from Latin carricare �to load�.

Archaic? The term or the item? Either way, I protest, sirrah! (The compact OED apparently hasn't been to a proper dinner party in a while.)

Caffrerr,

Ok, due to my love of wines, I do have some miniscule knowledge of your question.

A flight, if I recall correctly, is basically a grouping of similar wines; same types, from the same winery, vintage etc. This typically consists of three or more fluted glasses with no more then two ounces with in each.
The reason it is termed as a �flight� is due to the fact that you are dealing with a medley of flavors and there fore are dipping into each and moving onto the next; I.E. a flight in taste.

Just to be sure I checked the Merriam-Webster dictionary and their definition was as follows:

Quote:

5 : a brilliant, imaginative, or unrestrained exercise or display <a flight of fancy>

Where as the American Heritage Dictionary stated:

Quote:

7. A round of competition, as in a sports tournament.
8. An exuberant or transcendent effort or display: a flight of the imagination; flights of oratory.

I hope this assists you in understanding.

Now as for your question concerning the origins of �Charger�, I honestly do not know. I do know that it is mentioned in the bible (several versions) and is described as a "deep dish with flared edges, which was used to bear a lot of weight"

Other then what I have stated, I know not much else concerning either of these words or of their language or cultural derivatives.

Good luck,

(edited due to major faux pau!)

Quote:

>concerning.. cultural derisions

hey! none of that here; we want to remain politically correct at all times.

Sorry, not entirely with it today, I will crawl back into my cave and come out some other time....may hap after the sun returns from its outer reaches eliptical course around my life. lol

(edit) Btw I meant to say "cultural derivatives".