A Gift Of Language – SNACKIES - Impromptu Friday Nights

The British have a wonderful way of saying things. Americans tend to forget that English is their language. There is a famous quote attributed to Oscar Wild that explains difference between the British and American English “Two people separated by a common language”. Our daughter Jennifer learned the differences when she lived in New York City with her friend Amy Robjohn who is from Weybridge in Surrey England, just south of London. A few samples of the simple differences included:

Running shoes were “trainers”
Lining up for coffee at Starbucks was “standing in a queue”
Soccer is “football”

When Amy first came to visit us in Memphis, Jenn took her to Costco. Amy loved Costco’s sampling program and appropriately call the samples: “SNACKIES”. The handle has stuck. For example, the Kenny family rejoiced when “SNACKIES” reappeared after Covid. As it turns out, Amy claims that the term SNACKIES isn’t a British thing, just and Amy thing. To us it is simply a language gift.

Amy told us that the trendy British handle for SNACKIES is “Picky Bits”. Picky Bits are the English equivalent of tapas. Nearly half of Brits refer to British-style finger food as ‘Picky Bits’, with 52% choosing it as the meal of choice in warmer weather. (WalesOnline)

Amy came out to visit us in Westhampton recently and “SNACKIES”, became the appropriate theme for a light lunch. Past the catchy name, who doesn’t like snacks, that can also be called appetizers.

The menu:

The menu is interspersed with special local ingredients:

Royal Red Shrimp harvested in the very deep water off of the coast of Long Island.
Mom mom’s Herbs, picked from the herb garden outside the kitchen window that my mom nurtured for 40 years.
Heirloom tomatoes from the local farmstand.
Boar’s Head Mortadella a cousin of the bologna that was a staple of my youth

A smiling Amy

Deviled Eggs with Royal Red Shrimp and Smocked Salmon

Mortadella & Peperoncino Crostini Bites

Fresh Ricotta & Heirloom Tomato Crostini Bites

Ham & Mortadella Roll-ups

Melon & Berries

Peaches and Banana’s with Brie and Blackberry Jam

Whether you call them SNACKIES or Picky Bits we have to thank our friends from across the pond for the perfect name for a quick/delicious meal. And, the Kenny family gets to thank Amy for a language gift and a fun time whenever we get together

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A Gift Of Language – SNACKIES

Running shoes were “trainers”

Lining up for coffee at Starbucks was “standing in a queue”

Soccer is “football”

Amy told us that the trendy British handle for SNACKIES is “Picky Bits”. Picky Bits are the English equivalent of tapas. Nearly half of Brits refer to British-style finger food as ‘Picky Bits’, with 52% choosing it as the meal of choice in warmer weather. (WalesOnline)

Amy came out to visit us in Westhampton recently and “SNACKIES”, became the appropriate theme for a light lunch. Past the catchy name, who doesn’t like snacks, that can also be called appetizers.

The menu:

Royal Red Shrimp harvested in the very deep water off of the coast of Long Island.

Mom mom’s Herbs, picked from the herb garden outside the kitchen window that my mom nurtured for 40 years.

Heirloom tomatoes from the local farmstand.

Boar’s Head Mortadella a cousin of the bologna that was a staple of my youth