Of Cheese and Chicken Wings

The word buffalo, in America, refers to a large bovine animal also known as the American bison, scientific name Bison bison--except when it precedes (1) mozzarella or (2) wings.

Some people, if they ever wonder, might assume that "buffalo mozzarella" is made from milk from a buffalo (or bison) cow. It is not, it's made from the milk of what Americans know as a water buffalo.

Now, as to "buffalo wings," a food very popular in America as a snack or entrée: Of course buffalo don't have wings, so that can't be what the name means. "Buffalo wings" are in fact chicken wings, seasoned (as one might say) a la Buffalo—that is, the city of Buffalo, New York.

Copyright © 2012 by Richard Stein