More food for thought --- This text relates to the Korzybski “dog-biscuit” anecdote provided by Biljana. Korzybski “demonstrated that people don't just eat food, but also words.” My interest is exploring the connection between language and human psychology and biology. Korzybski illustrated that there is this deeper connection between language and human physiology.

"To eat one's own words" is a standard figure of speech today; but this idiom is a product of linguistic evolution. Today the idiom has acquired a distasteful connotation. It conveys the sentiment that one must admit that something said before was wrong. It was not always so. Originally, the expression conveyed the notion of accepting responsibility to fulfill one's word.

This original meaning dates back to Shakespeare's time. Shakespeare provides the context. In Much Ado About Nothing we find the exchange between Beatrice and Benedick (Act IV, Scene 1): "Will you not eat your word?" - "With no sauce that can be devised to it.")

BEATRICE. Will you not eat your word? BEATRICE. But you won't eat your words? BENEDICK. With no sauce that can be devised to it.

The language of Shakespeare, often difficult to interpret, provides a nuanced understanding. As a woman, Beatrice's position in society means she can’t challenge Claudio over what he’s done. Claudio has murdered Beatrice’s cousin. Benedick has just declared his love for Beatrice. So implicit is Beatrice’s expectation that Benedick can demonstrate the proof of his declaration of love. Her question is an indirect request asking Benedick to kill Claudio for her.

Beatrice may have had a meta-metaphor in mind in relation to Benedick: “You cannot have your cake and eat it too”. Which is paradoxical. If we have our cake, we certainly intend to eat it! This is more food for thought.

Source author: John D. Hipsley jhipsley@igc.org