Etymology of tiramisu

[Paul]

This is really a question for an expert in Italian. I've seen a couple
of different explanations for the name of the popular Italian dessert,
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick me up"--
but in what sense? One far-fetched theory has it being invented near a
brothel and referring to the women you could "pick up" there.

The more common explanation is that the stimulating qualities of the
chocolate and coffee give you a real "pick me up." I must say a dish
of rich, creamy tiramisu is more likely to send me into a lethargic
slumber, despite its caffeine content.

I've always imagined the phrase simply referred to the dessert's
irresistible appeal, and that "tiramisu" meant something very like the
"eat me" label on the cakes that Alice in Wonderland nibbles on: "pull
me up into your mouth."

Is there anyone who knows for sure what Italians themselves think of
when they use this phrase in relation to the dessert?

Paul Brians

[Glenn Knickerbocker]

Post by Paul
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick me up"--
but in what sense?

According to the first recipe for it published in 1981, the name
"signifies its nutritious and restorative properties."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/10/AR2007071000327_2.html

¬R Around here, the fun is always filled with blanks.
http://users.bestweb.net/~notr/arkville.html --Theresa Willis

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by Glenn Knickerbocker

Post by Paul
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick me up"--
but in what sense?

According to the first recipe for it published in 1981, the name
"signifies its nutritious and restorative properties."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/10/AR200...
¬R Around here, the fun is always filled with blanks.http://users.bestweb.net/~notr/arkville.html --Theresa Willis

First of all, would you please accept my apology for my English.(I
know is not good) I am Italian
and from time to time I lurk here both , out of curiosity and hoping
to improve my English
I only wanted to say that I agree with the meaning given by the
article to the sweet name "tiramisu",
in this case means: my body is weak and I need something to strengthen
it.
But this expression in Italian has mainly a figurative sense , that it
can't be translated with "pull me
up".
When we say: I need something "per tirarmi su" (to pull me up) we
intend, I need something to
change my mood. I'm in a blue mood and I need to be cheered up, or
else: I'm not so sure about a task
which I'll have to deal with, so I need to be reassured , I need to
take heart again ,to feel more
confident in my skills

any correction will be highliy appreciated

masgar

[John Dean]

Post by m***@gmail.com

Post by Glenn Knickerbocker

Post by Paul
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick me
up"-- but in what sense?

According to the first recipe for it published in 1981, the name
"signifies its nutritious and restorative properties."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/10/AR200...
¬R Around here, the fun is always filled with
blanks.http://users.bestweb.net/~notr/arkville.html --Theresa
Willis

First of all, would you please accept my apology for my English.(I
know is not good)

Your English is very good. Don't be shy about posting here.

Post by m***@gmail.com
I only wanted to say that I agree with the meaning given by the
article to the sweet name "tiramisu",
in this case means: my body is weak and I need something to strengthen
it.
But this expression in Italian has mainly a figurative sense , that it
can't be translated with "pull me
up".

The English equivalent is 'pick-me-up', which appeared in the 19th Century.
As OED has it:

1. a. orig. A stimulating drink serving to restore vigour after exhaustion;
extended to beverages, medicinal preparations, etc., supposed to have
restorative and tonic qualities.
1867 Latham Black & White 80 Who could induce the American loafer to
drink home-brewed ale+instead of pick-me-ups.

It would be interesting to know if the Italian desert was already well
known.

[Glenn Knickerbocker]

Post by John Dean
It would be interesting to know if the Italian desert was already well
known.

Not for a hundred years.

¬R Blather, Rinse, Repeat.
http://users.bestweb.net/~notr/telecom.html

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by John Dean

Post by m***@gmail.com

Post by Paul
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick me
up"-- but in what sense?

Your English is very good. Don't be shy about posting here.

thanks

Post by John Dean

Post by m***@gmail.com
I only wanted to say that I agree with the meaning given by the
article to the sweet name "tiramisu",
in this case means: my body is weak and I need something to strengthen
it.
But this expression in Italian has mainly a figurative sense , that it
can't be translated with "pull me
up".

The English equivalent is 'pick-me-up', which appeared in the 19th Century.
John Dean

At first I couldn't understand why you pointed out about the English
equivalent "pick-me-up", then I read again what Paul Brians wrote and
of course I realised I had evidently mis-read . Pull me up instead of
pick me up.
So my whole explanation has been useless
just sorry

masgar

[HVS]

Post by m***@gmail.com

Post by John Dean

Post by m***@gmail.com

Post by Paul
tiramisu (accent grave over the "u"). Clearly it means "pick
me up"-- but in what sense?

Your English is very good. Don't be shy about posting here.

thanks

Post by John Dean

Post by m***@gmail.com
I only wanted to say that I agree with the meaning given by
the article to the sweet name "tiramisu",
in this case means: my body is weak and I need something to
strengthen it.
But this expression in Italian has mainly a figurative sense ,
that it can't be translated with "pull me
up".

The English equivalent is 'pick-me-up', which appeared in the
John Dean

At first I couldn't understand why you pointed out about the
English equivalent "pick-me-up", then I read again what Paul
Brians wrote and of course I realised I had evidently mis-read .
Pull me up instead of pick me up.
So my whole explanation has been useless

It wasn't useless at all -- at least for me -- as it confirmed and
clarified the meaning as explained in the article.

[John Varela]

On Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:06:59 -0500, ***@gmail.com wrote
(in article

Post by m***@gmail.com
At first I couldn't understand why you pointed out about the English
equivalent "pick-me-up", then I read again what Paul Brians wrote and of
course I realised I had evidently mis-read . Pull me up instead of pick me
up. So my whole explanation has been useless just sorry

Your "pull me up" and the English "pick-me-up" appear to mean exactly the
same thing. You have nothing to apologize for; in fact, you seem to have
provided the definitive answer to the question.

[Odysseus]

In article <***@mid.individual.net>,
"John Dean" <john-***@fraglineone.net> wrote:

<snip>

Post by John Dean
It would be interesting to know if the Italian desert was already well
known.

Libyan: yes. Italian: no.

[Daniel James]

I must say a dish of rich, creamy tiramisu is more likely to send me
into a lethargic slumber, despite its caffeine content.

When I've tried tiramisu that was made by Italians it hasn't been as
rich or sweet (or as creamy) as it can sometimes be when made by
non-italians. The bitterness of the coffee and the chocolate (both
stimulants) certainly cuts through the sweetness, and the brandy is
very noticeable.

Non-italian tiramisu usually just makes me want to vomit, the genuine
article is a true pick-me-up.

Cheers,
Daniel.

[HVS]

Post by Daniel James

I must say a dish of rich, creamy tiramisu is more likely to
send me into a lethargic slumber, despite its caffeine content.

When I've tried tiramisu that was made by Italians it hasn't
been as rich or sweet (or as creamy) as it can sometimes be when
made by non-italians.

I find that tends to be the case with most European desserts and
pastries which are produced in England; we seem to use a lot more
sugar than they do.

[Pat Durkin]

Post by HVS

Post by Daniel James

I must say a dish of rich, creamy tiramisu is more likely to
send me into a lethargic slumber, despite its caffeine content.

When I've tried tiramisu that was made by Italians it hasn't
been as rich or sweet (or as creamy) as it can sometimes be when
made by non-italians.

I find that tends to be the case with most European desserts and
pastries which are produced in England; we seem to use a lot more
sugar than they do.

Ditto that for the US, in spades!

I just saw someone making a Twinkie tiramisu. UGH! And that was the
day after someone was lauding a deep-fried Twinkie! Double UGH!