Of course, correct word usage shouldn’t only be for the connoisseurs among us. Yes, even you with your love of peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches can get this spelling correct.
Remember:
- “Marinate” is the verb form. This is what you do.
- “Marinade” is the noun form. It’s the stuff you soak something in. (Okay, fine, that might not be the technical definition, but you get the idea.)
This is a mistake you can find across the expanses of the world wide web, and it causes almost as many cringes as a dollop of ketchup on a chimichurri burger. Before you look up what that chimichurri is—hint, it’s fun to say, spell, and eat—make sure you let this “marinade” vs. “marinate” difference marinate in your mind. Let it soak in. Got it?
Okay, feel free to go look up recipes.
Foodie writing tip # 350.1: While we’re on the subject of pet-peeves of a gourmand, it’s probably worth mentioning that while “refrigerator” can be shortened to “fridge,” it is not spelled, “refridgerator.” Phew, I’m glad that’s off my chest. Or should I say my stomach?
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