"Barista" is a fascist neologism
October 6, 2021 10:56 AM Subscribe
The History Guy presents a Brief History of Coffee
On the popular YouTube channel The History Guy Lance Geiger explores "short snippets of forgotten history" ranging from the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871 to the history of housecats. He's also done a handful of videos in his style for the History Channel/history.com (one previously.)
In 2019 the Belleville News-Democrat had an article on Geiger and his wife—and offscreen (usually) collaborator—Heidi Wiechert. They noted with disbelief that they were getting an average of 1,000 new subscribers a day. Recently the channel reached one million subscribers and they marked the occasion in their usual way.
On the popular YouTube channel The History Guy Lance Geiger explores "short snippets of forgotten history" ranging from the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871 to the history of housecats. He's also done a handful of videos in his style for the History Channel/history.com (one previously.)
In 2019 the Belleville News-Democrat had an article on Geiger and his wife—and offscreen (usually) collaborator—Heidi Wiechert. They noted with disbelief that they were getting an average of 1,000 new subscribers a day. Recently the channel reached one million subscribers and they marked the occasion in their usual way.
As the bow-tied man tells it, in 1938, Italian coffee shop workers were called 'barman,' and then Mussolini wanted to Italianize foreign words, so enter 'barista.' It didn't spread much outside Italy until... 1971, when Starbucks is founded in Seattle.
posted by box at 12:37 PM on October 6, 2021 [10 favorites]
posted by box at 12:37 PM on October 6, 2021 [10 favorites]
So, Starbucks is not the first time coffee has been associated with fascism.
posted by y2karl at 1:03 PM on October 6, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 1:03 PM on October 6, 2021 [9 favorites]
Mmmmmm, "black ichor"!
Other synonyms for coffee used in this video:
Other synonyms for coffee used in this video:
- elixir of life
- wake up in a cup
- go juice
- liquid lightning
- mocha
- koffie
- java
- morning elixir
- morning mud
- satan's drink
- morning brew
- wakey wakey juice
- a cup of Joe
THE TICK
"Empty your bladder of that bitter black urine men call coffee! It has a price, and that price has been paid!"
Suddenly, a cup drops into the slot and the machine begins pouring coffee into it. With a grunt, The Tick drops the machine again.
THE TICK (V.O.)
"Java devil, you are now my bitch."
The coffee overflows, and The Tick takes out the cup and hands it to the man.
posted by rozcakj at 2:22 PM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
"Empty your bladder of that bitter black urine men call coffee! It has a price, and that price has been paid!"
Suddenly, a cup drops into the slot and the machine begins pouring coffee into it. With a grunt, The Tick drops the machine again.
THE TICK (V.O.)
"Java devil, you are now my bitch."
The coffee overflows, and The Tick takes out the cup and hands it to the man.
posted by rozcakj at 2:22 PM on October 6, 2021 [3 favorites]
It bothers me to no end that espresso's fabled origins lie in anti-worker action. I compensate for the hardships my espresso-making forebears went through by massively overcomplicating puck preparation and taking 5 minutes preparing, 40 seconds brewing, and at least 5 minutes to drink a 40-gram shot (mostly cooling time).
In your face, Bezzera.
posted by supercres at 2:54 PM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
In your face, Bezzera.
posted by supercres at 2:54 PM on October 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've always just called them coffee jerks.
posted by Rat Spatula at 7:48 PM on October 6, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Rat Spatula at 7:48 PM on October 6, 2021 [6 favorites]
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Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to get some coffee...
posted by Greg_Ace at 12:29 PM on October 6, 2021 [2 favorites]