In our modern-day vernacular, the kitchen is most often thought of as a place where food is prepared. Some people eat there too, whether standing over the sink, or pulling up a stool at the snack bar. In fact, the word “kitchen” can be traced back to a form of the Latin coquina, pertaining to cooks and cooking.
However, I’d like to propose a change. It’s sure to fluster real estate agents everywhere as they prepare property descriptions. I say we change the name “kitchen” to “living room,” and there are a couple reasons why:
1. Food and drink are one of the necessities of life. Without them, we die. Pure and simple.
2. In my home, family gatherings rarely take place in the living room proper. That’s reserved for the stacks of unread junk mail, magazines, and other clutter. Occasionally someone flicks on the TV in there. Otherwise, everyone congregates in the kitchen, hence a reason for a name switcheroo.
Taking point number two further, it doesn’t matter what time of day it is. When I decide to fix a snack, load up tomorrow’s lunchbox, etc. I lure in an audience. I've even named the phenomenon Kitchen Convergence. We all step on each other, push each other around, and just generally get in each other’s way.
Isn’t it charming though, the scene of a family breaking bread (and one another’s necks) in each other’s presence? Someone speed dial Norman Rockwell. I sense a new slice of Americana coming on here.
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