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I have to admit still being confused about sweetmeats. If a Brit uses the word, are they talking about a specific type of candy, made in a specific way, from a
by russellbeattie 5y ago
I have to admit still being confused about sweetmeats. If a Brit uses the word, are they talking about a specific type of candy, made in a specific way, from a specific type of shop? Does it need to be baked? Or have flour? Or does a Snickers bar count as a sweetmeat? Or a gumdrop? Hard candy? Or is it more like something from a bakery? Indian sweetmeats also seems to be a thing (from an image search right now). What's the difference, if any? Is any of this related to Turkish Delights?
I don't understand the connotation of the word, as much as the meaning of it.
- cameronh90 5y agoAs a Brit, I've never heard of sweetmeats. Is it not an American thing?
- jacobr1 5y agoAmericans have an odd view of the UK that merges both historical periods and regions. We are just likely to consider something we read in a Jane Austin novel British (which it might indeed have been ... 1-200 years ago!) as more recent media like the film Notting Hill. My understanding is that sweetmeat is just an older word for candy, sweets or confections, archaic to both the UK and US english.
- Symbiote 5y agoIf a Brit (like me) uses the word, we're probably dressed up in old-fashioned clothes and trying to sound authentic while serving cakes to the LARP group. Or running a traditional restaurant/café[1]. I couldn't give a good definition without referring to a dictionary. Indian English retains several archaic terms, little used since the early 20th century. An Indian probably can give a good definition. [1] https://theoriginalmaidsofhonour.co.uk/collections/types?q=SWEET%20FARE%20%2F%20Biscuits%20%26%20Sweetmeats https://theoriginalmaidsofhonour.co.uk/collections/types?q=S...