coffee

Most of my friends find it amusing that I just started to drink coffee at the age of 67. Although I do make it at home, nothing beats a good cup of hot black coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts – no sugar, no cream, no nuttin’.  Anyway, I think it is a little like eating a meal prepared by someone else; it always tastes better than when you make it yourself.

Recently, when I was staying at a friend’s home, she asked me what I wanted to drink for breakfast, and I replied, “CAW-fee.” (caw as in awe)  My aunt who was a “New Yawker” always pronounced it this way, and I loved the way it sounded.

My friend, not immediately realizing that I was being funny, corrected me and said it was pronounced “COUGH-fee – like in cough, cough”  I giggled, and said I actually preferred “CORE-fee.”  She looked at me askance and realized that I was enjoying the word play.

I then proceeded to tell her that even though she pronounced it COUGH-fee, the sophisticates were known for saying, “KAH-fee.”  (kah as in hat)  By this time, she’d already measured out the Gevalia and plugged in the pot.

As the rich aroma filled the kitchen, I relinquished the word play and admitted that I really said “KOFF-ee.” (Koff as in coffin) – not that I was trying to bury the topic.

I just wanted my cup of JOE.