Dinersare best have intercourse for two things : Having literally anything you require , from grilled cheese to fry haddock , on their card ; and for offering a “ blue plateful special , " which promises some form of tempting entrée for a corking price .
But what makes a nap of diner food profane - plate worthy ? And what precisely is “ blue collection plate ” suppose to mean ?
concord toCulinaryLore , the origins of the phrasal idiom might date to 1892 , when diner owner Fred Harvey wasservingup prompt and inexpensive meals to railroad travelers at his Harvey House chain . Harvey ’s “ blue plate ” was a disposable plate that had separate section : pretty much anything throng on it was a “ blue plate special . ”
How could a railroad chain of mountains influence an entire industry ? Simple . Harvey ’s positioning wererenownedfor their quality , cleanliness , and gizmo at a metre when a fate of roadside eating place or railroad line stops were anything but . ( Restaurant owner along travel route , realizing travelers were just passing through , were n’t concerned about nutrient timbre , as customers rarely came back . )
Another possible source of the term could stem from porcelain plate made with a juicy Willow pattern that were used on railway dining railway car . In either caseful , “ dismal plate ” was associated with effective nutrient , chintzy food , or a combination of both .
The phrase exact on greatermeaningduring theGreat Depression , when budget were stretch out thinly . A blue plate special was synonymous with getting proteins and side dishes in generous share .
Today ’s diner do n’t necessarily assist special on low-spirited plates but still continue to use the phrase because it suggest you ’re getting a meal tidy sum . The only caveat ? Blue plate special typically are n’t customizable .
[ h / tCulinaryLore ]
Have you got a Big Question you ’d like us to answer ? If so , allow us have it away by emailing us at bigquestions@mentalfloss.com .
