h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Mina, I don't know how I managed to miss this. I love your London-related entries (well, the three I have read so far anyway). I had no idea the fog was called pea soupers, thought it was pea soup - probably due to its German name of 'Erbsensuppe' ('souper' proves to be intranslatable, but yes, this special London fog is known under the name of 'Erbsensuppe' here).

Bel

Thank you very much!

I'm glad I could help clear up a translation issue. My grandmother grew up in London, and she remembered the pea-soupers well.

Translation issue I hadn't thought of it as that. But as we're at it: what is a souper? Similar to a diner?

No, the -er is just stuck on. It's called that because it was the colour of 'pea soup', but 'it's a pea soup' doesn't sound quite right, so became 'pea souper'. I'm sure there's a better way to explain what I mean but I can't think of it!

"Pea-soupers" is a term in Eastern Canada denoting French-Canadians.

The term seems to have come about due to the widespread fondness among the Quebecois for French Canadian pea soup (not to be confused with split pea/green pea soup). The French Canadian variety is generally light mustard in colour, is thicker and has more fat content than the green pea variety due to the higher lard content. It is very tasty, though perhaps, not so healthy if eaten as a staple.

I've often heard the term " pea-soup" used with respect to fogs, but never " pea souper."

RC