Katz’s delicatessen

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This famous delicatessen in New York’s Lower East side, dates back to 1888 when it was set up by the Iceland brothers. In 1903, Willy Katz joined the business and the name of the store was officially changed to “Iceland & Katz”.

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I have written about this place before, with its massive, tasty portions and its role in When Harry Met Sally.

So you’re probably wondering why it’s back again?

Well, Jenn gave us the challenge of featuring something borrowed, and delicatessen is a borrowed word. It first appeared in the English language in the late 19th Century and comes from the German Delikatessen or Dutch delicatessen. They, in turn, are borrowed from the French délicatesse, which itself came from the Latin adjective delicatus, meaning “giving pleasure, delightful, pleasing”.

So next time you’re tucking into plates piled high with corned beef, or perhaps more delicate delights from a local deli, spare a thought for the long trail this word had to travel to get to our language.

 

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Copyright Debbie Smyth, 23 August 2018

 

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