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Quote by Mark Kurlansky

“Typical of Iberia, both the Basques and the Catalans claim the word comes from their own languages, and the rest of Spain disagrees. Catalans have a myth that cod was the proud king of fish and was always speaking boastfully, which was an offence to God. "Va callar!" (Will you be quiet!), God told the cod in Catalan. Whatever the word's origin, in Spain lo que corta el bacalao, the person who cuts the salt cod, is a colloquialism for the person in charge.”

Quote by Mark Kurlansky

Book:Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
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Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World delves into the historical significance of cod, tracing its role in shaping societies and economies across the globe. The book examines the cod fishery's rise and fall, its influence on European exploration, and its enduring presence in culinary traditions. more

Author

Mark Kurlansky
Mark Kurlansky

Mark Kurlansky is an American journalist, writer, and editor known for his extensive research on food, history, and culture. He has authored several books, including 'The Fish: The History of Humanity in the Age of the Fish', which won the Pulitzer Prize. more

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