Gaufre or Gauffre ? The gourmet spelling adventure!
Savoury or sweet, from Liège or Brussels, crunchy or soft, it’s a delight for the taste buds. But what is the real name of this Waffle that we love so much?
It’s obvious to some, and a question for many others. Is it “gaufre” with one “f” or “gauffre” with two “f “s?
As masters of the Waffle, we had to give you an answer. So we’ve put on our Sherlock coat and are taking you on a spelling adventure to discover the truth behind this culinary mystery that’s sowing doubt. Are you ready? Grab your LunchWaf’ and let’s go!!!
The truth behind the word Gourmand :
Have you had your first bite? YES!!! Then we can finally share this secret with you…. the correct form is indeed “waffle”, with just one “f”!
This spelling is the recognised standard in dictionaries and reference works. But don’t worry if you’ve ever added an extra ‘f’ to your writing, because even the best of us can stumble over this misleading waffle word.
But what does Gaufre mean?
Sherlock went even further and found the origin of our favourite Waffle. In fact, the word “waffle” comes from the Old French word “wafla”, itself derived from the Germanic words “wafel” or “waba”, meaning “beehive” and “honeycomb”. And yes, it makes sense when you consider the honeycomb structure of the waffle, which is totally similar to a beehive. Over the years, the word gaufre has remained part of the French language.
But why is there so much confusion about the spelling of “gaufre”?
The first reason for the confusion between “gaufre” and “gauffre” is probably due to the pronunciation of the word. When we say it aloud, the “f” sound can seem to be doubled, which sometimes leads to a spelling error. In addition, there are regional variations and informal usages that can contribute to this persistent confusion. Our German neighbours say “waffel” and the Anglo-Saxons “Waffle”. This may explain the irresistible urge to double the F in the word “gaufre”.
The second reason is that “gauffre” with two ‘f’s was the spelling used in the Dictionnaire de l’Académie française up to and including its 3rd edition (1740), so “Gauffre” was used between 1694 and 1740!
As a result, the “gauffre” with two “f “s has entered the discussion and is trying to make a place for itself alongside its cousin the “gaufre”. Could this be a quest for greater indulgence? After all, could two ‘Fs’ mean twice as much sweetness?
The confusion of taste buds
Of course, whether it’s spelt “gaufre” or “gauffre”, this pastry is still delicious and crispy. The spelling mistake doesn’t change the recipe or the magic of the taste. In this spelling duel, it’s the sweet tooth that wins! So no matter how you spell it, the pleasure of enjoying a traditional waffle remains the same. And speaking of pleasure, to discover our authentic, home-made waffles, click here:
