The grandmother can't be writing about the powdered orange drink Tang in 1947 because it wasn't created until about 1957 and not made available commercially until a couple of years later (1959) and made famous by John Glenn in 1963. (General Foods Corporation food scientist William A. Mitchell).
I wouldn't be surprised if it was a cheap cut of meat (adding sugar to improve the taste) ala "To Kill a Mockingbird."
I caught myself wondering, since the original reference was only in writing, if it might be an abbreviation for something. First thing that came to mind was "tangerine", then "tangle".
Tongue?
Hi Guys,
Â
I guess I am the only "wordie" who is also a diver. Â Tang is a member of the family Acanthuridae. Â It is also known as Surgeonfish. Â It is a Kosher fish and gets listed with its cousins...Surgeonfishes (Family Acanthuridae). Including: Surgeonfishes and tangs (Acanthurus species, Zebrasoma species); Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirugus); Unicornfishes or kalas (Naso species). Although nowadays, you are more likely to see them on a dive trip or in an aquarium than in the market, they aren't exactly rare. They are common in South America, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Â It's an easy stretch to imagine you might catch them in the Gulf of Mexico, at least before big oil. Â I believe it is safe to assume that in your grandmother's day it was more common as a meal than it is today.
Â
Regards to all,
You may well be the only one of us who is a diver, but I did remember that tang is a fish. I suggested this possibility in the main episode thread, but I was never able to confirm if the people in question were in a local area that might have access to tang.