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John McWhorter

“Hence, the notion of the “cheese burger” by the late 1930s, with “burger” now referring to a disk of meat. Today, of course, one speaks of the veggie burger, taco burger, fish burger, and so much else, such that no one would object that burger is “not a word.” Now it is, but only because of grafting. We talk about eating a nice burger, and Abraham Lincoln brought back to life would picture us trying to consume a staid, small-town German tradesman.”

John McWhorter, Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still
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Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally) Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still by John McWhorter
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