Soldiers (food)
 Toast soldiers | |
| Alternative names | Fingers (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Type | Toast |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
A soldier is a thin strip of toast; the strips that a slice is cut into are reminiscent of soldiers on parade. The toast is sliced in this manner so that it can be dipped into a soft boiled egg that has had the top of its shell removed. In 2005, The Daily Telegraph reported the invention of a device for cutting bread into soldiers.[1] Shaped cutters to produce soldiers shaped like human soldiers are also available.[2]
History
The specific term "eggs with soldiers" appears to date only from the 1960s. The modern phrase first appeared in print in 1966 in Nicolas Freeling's novel The Dresden Green (where it is used to eat soup). It is possible that it was either popularised or invented in 1965 in a series of TV commercials for eggs starring Tony Hancock and Patricia Hayes.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Derbyshire, David (14 October 2005). "Boiled egg fan finds the way to make perfect toast soldiers". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ^ Example on sale at Amazon
- ^ http://www.foodsofengland.co.uk/toastsoldiers.htm consulted 16/6/2016
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