Did You Know? The Upper Crust

  • Wednesday, July 6, 2022
  • Jerry Summers
Jerry Summers
Jerry Summers

In today’s society, the above term may be more subjective, but in the days of feudalism it held a more specific meaning.

 

When noblemen gathered for a meal in the castle, those of higher rank sat at the head of a T-shaped table and the rest of those in attendance took a seat in the order of diminishing importance away from them.


For those special occasions a yard-long loaf of bread was baked and the honor of cutting the first slice belonged to the highest-ranking person.


That person would then pass the bread down the table in the order of rank but he always kept for himself “the upper crust.”

 

(Obviously, there were no unions or women activists to protect the alleged discriminatory or sexism practices.)


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Jerry Summers

(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)

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