BBQ-noun or verb

Do you consider BBQ a noun or verb. We have always used the term BBQ as the meat that we grill or cook out on the grill. It seems so odd to hear people say that they are going to barbecue hamburgers or steak. I always think of them putting barbecue sauce on the meat. I guess that different areas of our great nation use the term differently.

Good question. For me, "barbecue" is the meat itself, always referring to pork unless otherwise specified, or the place where one buys the prepared meat & sides. The verb is either "grill" or "smoke," not "barbecue."

To me, it is a noun. In central New York, people always talk about the chicken barbeques that they are going to or that they have been invited to a barbeque so sure it can refer to a gathering of people who are going to eat barbeque.

The editor in me says it is a noun. Though I have be guilty of using it as a verb.

I tend to use the noun also.
However it does work as a verb rather well. "I 'cued two shoulders and a Brisket".
Or even an Adverb... "Well 'Cuely Darling, I don't give a damn".

It is a noun and a verb. It is what you eat (noun), and it is how you cook it (verb). End of discussion...

Cheers, John

quote:

Originally posted by seafarer john

It is a noun and a verb. It is what you eat (noun), and it is how you cook it (verb). End of discussion...

Cheers, John

SJ is right, however, some people use the word incorrectly. For instance, when many folks talk of BBQ they are referring to grilling, or a cook-out. BBQ in the "real" sense, involves slow-cooking over indirect heat, usually with coals or wood. And the result of your "BBQ'ing" (a verb) is BBQ (a noun).

It depends on your geographical location and/or mindset. In Ohio I can go to a barbeque, I can barbeque something, and I can eat barbeque. Where I grew up, in Connecticut, I could barbeque something and I could go to a barbeque, but I could not eat barbeque. If I recall correctly, when I lived in Texas I could barbeque something and I could go to a barbeque, but I couldn't eat barbeque, except in certain areas. In the Carolinas I could eat barbeque, but not barbeque anything.

That's it. I'm up to here in barbeque. I think I'll make some chili tonight.

And you can cook on a barbecue.

It's a noun ("Gimme some o' dat BBQ!") and a verb ("You geting ready to BBQ?")

It's also an adjective ("Gimme some o' dem BBQ ribs, there!")

I don't think it's an adverb, or a preposition, but it might be an interjection ("BBQ!)

gb

Although it is technically incorrect to conflate BBQ and grilling, it has become part of the language and we'll never be able to undo it- so learn to live with it...

Cheers, John

Webster has one definition of barbecue as food cooked with a highly spiced vinegar sauce. (N.B. Webster was from East Carolina.)

A fun question, this one.

To me personally, BBQ is almost always a noun as in 'I'm cravin' some good BBQ! Let's go to Stubbs!'

I understand and respect those who refer to 'cooking out' as BBQ-ing, but to me there is a world of difference in the two. Making real, true BBQ (noun) calls for a lot of materials, ingredients, planning, energy, and time.

BBQ-ing (verb) never involves a small amount of time and a pile of Kingsford. Just my opinion...

Man, am I hungry now!

Redskin204

Yes

When I lived in Boston it was most definately a verb, as in bar-b-quing a chicken. I was a little out of place when I moved to Texas. Don't worry fellow Texans, my wife converted me and now it's a noun in my vocabulary. Except when my family comes down to visit.

Where I grew up, I only heard the word as a verb ("Let's BBQ some pork") or an adjective ("Let's eat the BBQed pork"). I first heard the noun usage from a southern client. Since then, in no small part because of this site, I've figured that the noun usage is correct, and that the verb usage is a bastardization -- solely because I believe the South deserves to call the shots on this one.