Bakers, bakeries and bakers shops were required by law only to sell their ‘national loaves’ when they were a day old because stale bread did not cut to waste like fresh bread. Source
[If you can find it, the BBC Timeshift episode ‘Bread: A Loaf Affair’ mentions this along with a surprisingly interesting modern-ish history of bread in the UK. It’s narrated by Tom Baker.]
Bing AI gave me this: "The phrase “did not cut to waste” in the context of bread rationing during wartime refers to the idea that stale bread, being firmer and less crumbly than fresh bread, could be sliced more thinly and evenly without falling apart or producing excess crumbs. "
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it means to cut in a wasteful manner, particularly in terms of fabric. From elsewhere, it looks like it’s also used in construction in regards to cutting material such that the remaining sections are not usable for other purposes.
However, I’m not sure how stale bread discourages such cuts.
In the UK, bakers were forbidden from selling bread on the day it was baked, in order to make it more stale and reduce demand.
“During WW1” is the context for this
And WWII.
And WWIII??
Is this a Douglas Adams bit?
Sadly, no:
[If you can find it, the BBC Timeshift episode ‘Bread: A Loaf Affair’ mentions this along with a surprisingly interesting modern-ish history of bread in the UK. It’s narrated by Tom Baker.]
Wtf does cut to waste mean?
Thick instead of thin?
I have actually been googling the hell out of this and I still don’t know.
Bing AI gave me this: "The phrase “did not cut to waste” in the context of bread rationing during wartime refers to the idea that stale bread, being firmer and less crumbly than fresh bread, could be sliced more thinly and evenly without falling apart or producing excess crumbs. "
Perhaps it means when you cut it, it doesn’t mold as fast?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it means to cut in a wasteful manner, particularly in terms of fabric. From elsewhere, it looks like it’s also used in construction in regards to cutting material such that the remaining sections are not usable for other purposes.
However, I’m not sure how stale bread discourages such cuts.
Fresh bread tastes amazing. You overconsume by eating it by itself.
Stale bread tastes… stale. You actually cut thin slices so you can top it with stuff that masks it.
I see where he got his sense of humour at least. I’ll try to find that, thanks.