This is something I've pondered, too
"We call it "hamburger." What kind or resonance does the word "hamburger" have for you? None. They don't say: "Give me the cow." They don't say: "Pass the pig." They say: "Give me bacon." "Veal," even.
These are words that don't have any resonance for us. Now, that's not true of "lamb" and of "chicken." I've always wondered why that would be different, but with the three main meats that we eat we don't like to use the real word. We want it disguised.
I've wondered about this, especially since lambs are one of those cute-and-cuddly animals that almost everyone "awwww"s over, a symbol of frolicking innocence and springtime. Is it that we expect lambs to give up their lives, lamb of god, lamb to the slaughter, etc.?
These are words that don't have any resonance for us. Now, that's not true of "lamb" and of "chicken." I've always wondered why that would be different, but with the three main meats that we eat we don't like to use the real word. We want it disguised.
I've wondered about this, especially since lambs are one of those cute-and-cuddly animals that almost everyone "awwww"s over, a symbol of frolicking innocence and springtime. Is it that we expect lambs to give up their lives, lamb of god, lamb to the slaughter, etc.?