One kind reader has sent in a tidbit regarding the "Saleratus" listed as one item for sale in the grocery list in the "Great Western Hotel" ad shown in the recent "1840 Mystery Spot" post. He says:
I didn't want to sidetrack the 1840's Mystery Spot discussion, but I noticed one of the grocery items for sale in the Great Western Hotel was salaratus, a term I didn't recognize.It turns out that saleratus is "Sodium or potassium bicarbonate used as a leavening agent; baking soda", which has a tenuous link back to the discussion about Royal Baking Powder earlier in the year. Thought you might be interested...
Absolutely! How much more elegant is this term than "baking soda." Dusty D wants to revive this term. Next time I go to Meijer's I will enquire of the nearest employee, "Pardon me, would you by chance have any saleratus?"
"Any...what?"
"Saleratus! Saleratus! What you young'uns call 'baking soda.' Incidentally, is it anywhere near the Michigan Made Beet Sugar? You DO carry Michigan Made Beet Sugar, don't you? In the hundred-pound sack? And saleratus? Where's the saleratus aisle?!"
I may end up recognizing myself on Customerssuck.com, but if 'saleratus' reenters common parlance, it'll all be worth it.
