What is the difference between "gourmet" and "gourmand"? How are the two words pronounced?
(M. Chandrasekhar, Chennai)
The "gour" in the first syllable of "gourmet" sounds like the "ure" in "sure", "cure", and "pure". The following "met" is pronounced like the word "may". The first syllable of "gourmand" is pronounced like the first syllable of "gourmet". The "a" in the second syllable is like the "a" in "china". This is one way of pronouncing the word. The stress in the case of both words is on the first syllable. The two words are related to food. A "gourmet" is a connoisseur of good food and vintage wines. He is an authority on the selection and preparation of good food. If you take a gourmet to a restaurant, he will not only order the food for you, but will also tell the chef how he wants the dishes to be prepared. Since he is very fond of his food, he is very particular about the quality. "Gourmet food" is supposed to be much more sophisticated than ordinary food, but is also a lot more expensive.
A "gourmand" is an individual who enjoys eating and drinking a lot. Unlike a gourmet, a gourmand is more interested in the quantity of food rather than quality. He is a glutton. The word is often used disapprovingly to describe someone. Here are a few examples.
*The food in the new restaurant will satisfy the gourmands, but not the gourmets.
*On their honeymoon the young couple had a gourmet dinner.
*When he took Vasantha to dinner, he realised what a gourmand she was.
S. UPENDRAN
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