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dainty
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
1n. — Food, Prairies, especially Saskatchewan and Manitoba
cookie, pastry or cake better than the everyday fare; usually in the plural, dainties.
Type: 5. Frequency — In the international context, dainties is used quite widely, see Chart 1. Its widespread dissemination in the English-speaking countries (see Chart 1) stems from its English roots, going back into the 14th century.
In the Canadian context, the term has special relevance as a regional term in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which renders dainty a Prairie regionalism on the grounds of frequency (see Chart 2, see the 1999 quotation). The term is a semantic specialization of the meaning 'anything pleasing or delicious to the palate; a choice viand, a delicacy' (OED-3, s.v. "dainty" n. (6)). Various semantic connections can be made to the OED-3 meaning, such as cookies for social gatherings, as on the Canadian prairies, or of more refined quality, for instance.
See also COD-2, which marks the term as "Cdn (Prairies & NW Ont.)".
In the Canadian context, the term has special relevance as a regional term in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which renders dainty a Prairie regionalism on the grounds of frequency (see Chart 2, see the 1999 quotation). The term is a semantic specialization of the meaning 'anything pleasing or delicious to the palate; a choice viand, a delicacy' (OED-3, s.v. "dainty" n. (6)). Various semantic connections can be made to the OED-3 meaning, such as cookies for social gatherings, as on the Canadian prairies, or of more refined quality, for instance.
See also COD-2, which marks the term as "Cdn (Prairies & NW Ont.)".
See: Nanaimo bar
Quotations
1866
If at too great a distance, at noon they partake of luncheon in the woods. At dark they return to the shanty. Each one then receives his can of strong tea, with plenty of fat pork and bread; and having straddled themselves over their log tables, without ceremony, or the forms of etiquette, they commence with right good ernest to supply their inner wants. No varieties or luxurious dainties are provided for the rough shantyman; his appetite does not crave for such.
1897
He came to see us every day, often bringing bonbons and dainties to the little ones, always giving Lill the lion's share.
1926
His delight as usual was boundless when his skill in searching overcame Michael's experience in concealing and he discovered a bag of bon bons in Michael's hat. He proffered the dainties first to Colette, then to Michael; each took one decorously, Michael with a grave bow - greatly to Billy's amusement.
1985
An addition this year is the tea room organized by Mrs. D. B. Sutherland in which tea and dainties will be served with Victorian charm.
1990
Set up inside the old tent on the common, home cooks from miles around brought their best saskatoon pies, shortbread, tea dainties, lemon loaf, oatmeal cookies, etc.
1998
Surrounding the busy cafe, the chic concourse space is a depot for dainties from T.O. and the world: Neuhaus and great big Joseph Schmidt chocolates, Fortnum & Mason's teas and cookies, Rao's homemade pasta sauces, herbes de Provence in little clay pots.
1999
And "dainties" in the Prairies and northwestern Ontario should be found only in the last two rooms of the aforementioned Quebec apartment, as the term refers to fancy cookies or cakes that would be served at a social gathering.
References
- COD-2
- OED-3
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 7 Sep. 2015
