[Ads-l] poutine (1980)

[dave@wilton.net]

OED has March 1982 for English use. The OED says it dates in Canadian French from 1978, but provides no citation.
 
Schnurmacher, Thomas. “Liz’s Mission Is a Big Secret.” Gazette (Montreal), 3 April 1980, 53/1. ProQuest Newspapers.
 
"If you want to be truly chic in Sherbrooke, ask for a 'poutine' which is French fries served with melted cheese and 'beaucoup d’sauce.' The best places at the moment are La Wellington and Louis lunceonette [sic]."
 
 
And this one gives possible hints as to the origin:
 
“Poutine Popularity Rivals That of Burgers.” Brandon Sun (Manitoba), 1 February 1982, 12. NewspaperArchive.com.
 
"Although nutritionists may shudder at its starch, fat and salt content, a new fast-food snack is gaining on hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza in Quebec snack bars.

"It’s called poutine and it combines french fried potatoes with curds of cheese and hot barbecue sauce.

[…]

"Poutine, which has been popular for at least five years in southeastern Quebec, is responsible for almost doubling the sales of fresh curd or fromage en graine over the past two years.

[…]

"Whoever originated the Quebec dish 'borrowed' the name, said Harvey Godin, a government restaurant inspector.

"'Don’t confuse it with poutines rapees which is an old Acadian dish,' he said. An Acadian from Rogersville, N.B., Godin has watched the new poutine grow in popularity during his travels as chief of the Industry department’s hotel services.

"The original poutines rapees which he remembers eating as a child, are potato dumplings made with salt pork at the centre.
 

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org