the term "Short order cook"

[Anonymous]

Another one from the 80s, with parents who said this. Family of 6, we were never allowed to make dinner requests for special picky needs and ate what we were served, except for special occasions (like birthdays).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one would say “can I short order cook something for you.” The person would just say “what can I make for you?” Like how a janitor would not say “can I janitor this hallway.” He/she would say “can I clean this hallway.”

My mom also used this term in the 80s.

This. Anyone remember the show "Alice"? Took place in Mel's Diner? I usually think of Mel when I think of a short order cook.

[Anonymous]

My husband’s first job was as a short order cook. It’s a term in the restaurant industry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- yes, I know what the term means.

Thank you PPs who stated that your moms used the phrase. I *NEVER* heard it in a home situation, growing up. I guess my mom said "I'm not going to make two meals" but we didn't use the term "short order cook".

My dad, I remember every weekend, actually being a short order cook for us! He would say, "Who wants eggs? Would you like them poached or scrambled? Do you want bacon or sausage?" and then cook what we wanted! Both days he did that! (But he didn't call it short order cooking.)

Again, I ask -- does anyone use it, in the home (i.e. not talking about in an ad looking for an actual short order cook!), in a positive manner? As in, "Can I short order cook something for you?"

It's a noun, not a verb, so I wouldnt say "can I short order cook this for you?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand it but I think it's getting as overused as "everyone gets a trophy."

Sure, mom shouldn't cook four meals. But mom is still an asshole if she just makes tempeh and quinoa stir fry, plops it in front of toddlers, and blithely declares she won't be a short order cook. Families all take into account one another's likes and dislikes. You women out there, do you really serve your husbands dishes they hate just to make a point?

No one said anything remotely like this. What a weird assumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No one would say “can I short order cook something for you.” The person would just say “what can I make for you?” Like how a janitor would not say “can I janitor this hallway.” He/she would say “can I clean this hallway.”

My mom also used this term in the 80s.

But do people say "I refuse to janitor this hallway?" like they say with short order cook?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did people first start using the term "short order cook", in anything other than an actual diner job situation?

I don't ever remember hearing the phrase until I had kids and started reading DCUM. And I only hear it in one context -- people refusing to short order cook.

Does anyone use it in the positive? Like, "Good morning, sweetie, what can I short order cook for your breakfast today?"

Or is it always something you refuse to do or be?

lol, I only see it here, too. But I live the short order cook life. Both my husband and I do. We prepare so many different things for dinner each night, because everyone in the house has completely different tastes. It's hard to put consistently healthy meals on the table that everyone will eat. Husband cares only about the meat. I care mostly about the veggies. We both like things super-spicy. My kids can't handle spice at all. So there are many different things or versions of things on the table every frigging night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did people first start using the term "short order cook", in anything other than an actual diner job situation?

I don't ever remember hearing the phrase until I had kids and started reading DCUM. And I only hear it in one context -- people refusing to short order cook.

Does anyone use it in the positive? Like, "Good morning, sweetie, what can I short order cook for your breakfast today?"

Or is it always something you refuse to do or be?

lol, I only see it here, too. But I live the short order cook life. Both my husband and I do. We prepare so many different things for dinner each night, because everyone in the house has completely different tastes. It's hard to put consistently healthy meals on the table that everyone will eat. Husband cares only about the meat. I care mostly about the veggies. We both like things super-spicy. My kids can't handle spice at all. So there are many different things or versions of things on the table every frigging night.

Oh, and in case it wasn't clear, my husband and I prepare dinner together every night. So maybe it's not so bad with two short order cooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did people first start using the term "short order cook", in anything other than an actual diner job situation?

I don't ever remember hearing the phrase until I had kids and started reading DCUM. And I only hear it in one context -- people refusing to short order cook.

Does anyone use it in the positive? Like, "Good morning, sweetie, what can I short order cook for your breakfast today?"

Or is it always something you refuse to do or be?

My mother used it when I was growing up. She was born in 1929 and I was born in 1964. My grandmother (paternal) also used it- she was born in 1905.

But more like, “what do you think I am, a short order cook?”


I have never heard it used like you use in your example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one would say “can I short order cook something for you.” The person would just say “what can I make for you?” Like how a janitor would not say “can I janitor this hallway.” He/she would say “can I clean this hallway.”

My mom also used this term in the 80s.

But do people say "I refuse to janitor this hallway?" like they say with short order cook?

No, but they might say “I refuse to BE a janitor.”

Again, it’s a noun. Not a verb. It’s “be a short order cook”, not just “short order cook”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did people first start using the term "short order cook", in anything other than an actual diner job situation?

I don't ever remember hearing the phrase until I had kids and started reading DCUM. And I only hear it in one context -- people refusing to short order cook.

Does anyone use it in the positive? Like, "Good morning, sweetie, what can I short order cook for your breakfast today?"

Or is it always something you refuse to do or be?

My mother used it when I was growing up. She was born in 1929 and I was born in 1964. My grandmother (paternal) also used it- she was born in 1905.

But more like, “what do you think I am, a short order cook?”


I have never heard it used like you use in your example.

+1

Same words uttered from my mom (and grandma).

FWIW, I'm from Massachusetts (and born in 1963).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No one would say “can I short order cook something for you.” The person would just say “what can I make for you?” Like how a janitor would not say “can I janitor this hallway.” He/she would say “can I clean this hallway.”

My mom also used this term in the 80s.

But do people say "I refuse to janitor this hallway?" like they say with short order cook?

People usually say I refuse to BE a short order cook, not I refuse to short order cook.

And yes they might say...I refuse to be your maid or your janitor.