Have you ever looked around your kitchen
and wondered why the parts of it are called what they are?
From cabinets to cupboards, kickboards to pelmets, every element of your kitchen has a story behind it. Let’s dive into the history of these common kitchen terms to understand why they have these peculiar names and how their meanings have evolved over time.
Cabinets and Storage Solutions
Kitchen cabinets and storage solutions have evolved significantly over time, influenced by changing lifestyles and design trends. Understanding the origins of these elements can give us insight into their functional and cultural importance.
1. Cabinets: From Small Rooms to Kitchen Storage
The word "cabinet" comes from the French word cabane, meaning a small room or hut. In the 16th century, "cabinet" referred to a small room used to store valuables.
Over time, the meaning shifted to describe furniture used for storage. By the time kitchens started to become the heart of the home, kitchen cabinets had transformed into functional storage units for dishes, food, and kitchen equipment.
The terms "base cabinets" and "wall cabinets" are straightforward, referring to their position in the kitchen—either on the floor or mounted on the wall.
2. Cupboard: From Displaying Cups to Storing Everything
The word "cupboard" originally came from the Middle English cuppebord, which literally meant a board or table used to display cups.
During medieval times, cupboards were open shelves where valuable dishware was shown off.
Over time, they evolved into enclosed cabinets for storing dishes, food, and just about anything else that needed tucking away, eventually becoming a fundamental part of kitchen storage.
3. Pantry (Larder): A Room for Essentials
The "pantry" has its origins in the Old French word paneterie, from pain, meaning bread. Historically, it was a room used for storing bread and other essentials.
The "larder", on the other hand, derives from the Medieval Latin lardarium, meaning a place for storing meat, particularly lard. Over time, both terms have come to describe cool storage spaces for a variety of food items in the kitchen.
Work Surfaces and Protective Features
Work surfaces and protective features are critical for both the functionality and the aesthetics of a kitchen. These components have names that often reflect their practical purposes, as well as the roles they play in keeping the kitchen clean and organised.
4. Worktops (Countertops): Where the Work Gets Done
In British kitchens, we call the surface where we prepare food the "worktop". The term comes from "work" and "top," literally describing the surface where cooking work is done.
Across the pond, it’s often called a "countertop", derived from the Latin word contra, meaning opposite or facing.
Originally, counters were surfaces merchants used when dealing with customers, and this meaning was eventually adapted for kitchens to describe the surface for food preparation.
5. Splashback: Protecting the Walls
The "splashback" is a highly functional feature, protecting the kitchen wall behind the sink or hob from water, oil, and other splashes.
Its name is simply descriptive—it’s a surface that "backs" the wall against "splashes." This practical addition has developed over time, evolving from simple tiles to glass or stainless steel finishes, adding style as well as functionality.
Decorative and Supporting Elements
Decorative and supporting elements in the kitchen not only enhance its appearance but also provide crucial structural support. Many of these terms have their origins in classical architecture, which gives them a historical and stylistic significance.
6. Kickboards (Plinths): More Than Just Decoration
"Kickboards", also known as "plinths", are those panels that cover the space beneath your base cabinets, hiding the legs of the cabinets and giving your kitchen a sleek, grounded look.
The term "kickboard" comes from its function: it protects the lower part of the cabinets from accidental scuffing by feet. "Plinth", meanwhile, comes from classical architecture, where it referred to the base supporting a column or statue.
The term was adapted to describe the panel that "supports" or visually grounds kitchen cabinets.
7. Cornice and Pelmet: Borrowed from Architecture
"Cornice" and "pelmet" both come from the world of classical architecture.
The word "cornice" has Italian roots, meaning a ledge.
Originally used to describe the decorative moulding on buildings, the term now describes the trim placed atop wall cabinets to add a polished, decorative touch.
"Pelmet", on the other hand, might have come from the word "helmet" and refers to the small trim placed under cabinets, often to hide under-cabinet lighting.
Key Appliances and Fixtures
Key appliances and fixtures are the essential tools that make a kitchen functional. From sinks to cooker hoods, each of these elements has a story that reflects its role in the culinary process.
8. Sink: Derived from Submersion
The word "sink" comes from the Old English word sincan, meaning to become submerged. Early sinks were essentially basins that allowed water to "sink" down and drain away. Today, the sink is an indispensable part of every kitchen, still carrying out the function of draining water, much like it did centuries ago.
9. Cooker Hood (Extractor Hood): Capturing Steam and Odours
The "cooker hood" or "extractor hood" sits above your hob, capturing steam, odours, and grease as you cook. The term "hood" has Middle English origins and referred to a covering. In the kitchen, it’s used to describe the covering that extracts unwanted smells and vapours, making your kitchen a more pleasant place to be.
10. Hob: A Nod to Old Hearths
The word "hob" comes from Old English and originally referred to a shelf on the side of a fireplace used to keep food warm. In modern times, the hob has become the flat cooking surface of a kitchen, whether it’s gas, electric, or induction. This term is especially common in British English, continuing the connection to its historical role near the hearth.
11. Oven: An Ancient Enclosure
The word "oven" comes from the Proto-Germanic word ūbną, which referred to a hollowed-out cooking device. The basic principle hasn’t changed much—it’s still an enclosed space where food is cooked. Ovens have, of course, advanced significantly in terms of technology, but the concept remains the same.
Layout and Structural Features
The layout and structural features of a kitchen are designed to maximise efficiency and convenience. Understanding the history of these elements can help us appreciate their contribution to the kitchen's overall usability and charm.
12. Island and Peninsula: Borrowed from Geography
A "kitchen island" is named after its geographical counterpart—an isolated piece of land surrounded by water. In kitchen design, it refers to a freestanding unit surrounded by floor space, providing extra worktop area and storage. A "peninsula" is a connected counterpart, extending out from the main cabinets much like a landmass connected to the mainland, extending into the kitchen space to offer more functionality.
13. Shelving: Ledges of Storage
The word "shelf" comes from Old English scylfe, which means a ledge or platform. Kitchen shelving is simply an extension of this idea—it provides surfaces for storing or displaying kitchen items. Whether open or closed, shelving is as much about convenience as it is about adding personality to your kitchen.
14. Handles and Knobs: Simple Yet Essential
The words "handle" and "knob" are straightforward terms for functional objects.
"Handle" comes from Old English handlian, meaning to touch or hold with the hand, while "knob" comes from the Middle Low German knop, meaning a small rounded lump.
Both serve as simple but essential components for operating cabinets and drawers.
15. Skirting Board (Baseboard): The Finishing Detail
The "skirting board" or "baseboard" runs along the bottom of the walls, covering the joint between the wall and the floor.
The term "skirting" relates to the idea of something running around the perimeter, as it "skirts" the edges of the room.
It’s an architectural feature that has been adapted into the kitchen to protect the wall from damage and to create a neat transition from the cabinets to the floor.
16. Carcass: The Kitchen Skeleton
In kitchen cabinetry, the "carcass" refers to the internal framework or structure of the cabinets. Borrowed from anatomy, it describes the "skeleton" of a cabinet before the doors, drawers, and other fittings are added.
The word "carcass" emphasises the raw, structural role this part plays in supporting the overall design.
Bringing It All Together
From its architectural borrowings to its functional descriptors, the language we use for kitchen components tells a fascinating story of evolution.
Many of these terms have deep historical roots, evolving from other languages or adapting to changing lifestyles over centuries.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation or just curious about the language we use every day, understanding the history behind these terms can add a whole new appreciation for your kitchen space.
So next time you're in your kitchen, preparing dinner or putting away dishes, take a moment to appreciate the history hidden in plain sight—each "cabinet," "hob," and "cornice" has its own unique story to tell.
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