Toaster: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'toaster' comes from the verb 'to toast', which has its roots in the Latin word 'tostus', meaning 'burned' or 'to scorch'.
• The first use of 'toaster' as a noun in English dates back to the late 19th century, referring initially to devices for browning bread.

Innovation

• The first electric toaster, invented in 1909 by Frank Shailor, was a simple apparatus that could toast one slice of bread at a time.
• In 1921, Charles Strite patented the automatic pop-up toaster, revolutionizing breakfast by allowing bread to toast and pop up without manual intervention.

Pop Culture

• Toasters have been featured in various movies and TV shows, often humorously portraying them as characters or unwanted appliances that occasionally cause mishaps.
• In the comic series 'The Adventures of Tintin', a toaster is humorously called the 'most dangerous appliance in the household' in one of the strips.

Science

• Toasting bread is a complex chemical process known as the Maillard reaction, which enhances flavor and creates the brown color we associate with toasted bread.
• Different types of bread can require various toasting times, as factors like moisture content and thickness affect the toasting process.

Cultural Significance

• Toasters symbolize modern convenience in many cultures, representing the shift towards faster and more efficient cooking methods.
• In some countries, toasters are a staple in households and are often gifted to newlyweds or in home warming ceremonies as symbols of hospitality and warmth.

At rank #27,711, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 27708 unravelling
• 27709 fruitfully
• 27710 acquisitive
• 27711 toaster
• 27712 wobbled
• 27713 occasioning
• 27714 stumped
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