Yes, "yummy" and "to die for" are definite no-nos, and "scrumptious" is execrable. But I'd also add a couple of other words that should never be used, for any reason, in any article about food: "Rotten", "rotting", "spoiled", "fabuloso", "edgy", "brave." Oh, and let's not forget that despicable "delish".
But there is an entertaining list at grumpygourmetusa.
My fave bad food writing example was in the NY Times many years ago--either Gale Green or Ruth Reichl (sp?). I'm paraphrasing, but something like: "The food leaps off the plate and explodes in the mouth." I giggled all day after that.
ReplyDeleteYeah, those crazy metaphors . . . well, can't say as how I blame them too much. There are only so many ways you can describe food.
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