cycene
The Old English word for kitchen is cycene.
cycene is a noun used to refer to a room where food is prepared.
Meaning: room (noun)
Did you know?
- The Old English cycene is a linguistic cousin to the modern French word cuisine, showing how a single Latin root split into a room name in English and a culinary style in French.
- cycene was borrowed early from Latin coquina, so it is not a native Germanic word.
- In many Old English settings, there was no separate 'kitchen' room, as cooking happened around a communal hearth in a larger hall.
Examples in context
- Ic eom on þære cycene.I am in the kitchen.
Example conversation
Osric and Eadgyth are looking for food in their house.
- OsricEart þu on þære cycene?Are you in the kitchen?
- EadgythIċ eom on þære cycene.I am in the kitchen.
- OsricBring mē mete.Bring me food.
- EadgythIc hit sōna bringe.I will bring it soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cycene, CC BY-SA 4.0.
