FR

The Notebooks
by Josée Fiset

Inspire Cook Share Biography
Back to the articles

Share on:

Have You Ever Wondered...

...in French, the word copain is multi-purpose. A copain can be a chum, a best buddy, or a boyfriend (the feminine copine designates a girlfriend); it’s also a handily ambiguous word to avoid unmasking a lover. In the Middle Ages, before the advent of plates, meals were served on thick slices of sourdough bread, each makeshift platter shared by two guests. The Latin phrase cum panem, which means “with bread,” was amalgamated to become companio, referring to a person with whom not only was bread shared, but also wine, secrets, life. Companio in turn became compaing, the root of the word “companion” and, you guessed it, copain. Today, a copain remains someone to share all sorts of good things with. Like bread.

Inspire

The medium “Pease Porridge Hot” OATS (flakes) The set-up The subtle art of presentation

Cook

The leftovers Herbology 101 Back to school jarred salad

Share

The coming together Back-to-school joys The discovery Energy, squared!