Here is a very interesting piece of news from Vegetarian Society Singapore’s newsletter at http://www.vegetarian-society.org/node/1362#05 :
The first people who called themselves ‘vegetarian’ were in fact vegan. This has now been established conclusively with resources not previously available. We have now shown that until 1847 *all* uses of the word ‘vegetarian’ came from people associated with Alcott House School, on Ham Common, south west of London. And they used it to mean a 100% plant food diet – a ‘vegetarian’ was simply someone who lived on vegetation. There were, of course, many other people following variations of the ‘vegetable diet’, most of them adding eggs/dairy products. But we can find no indication of any of them using the word ‘vegetarian’ before 1847. Read the entire entry: http://vegsource.com/john-davis/vegetarian-equals-vegan.html
Comments: Now I’m wondering if we will ever reinstate the original meaning of ‘vegetarian’ in use. Looks like it’s going to be difficult due to the widespread ‘corruption’ of the word in use. Thank goodness the word ‘vegan’ is already in use – which helps to clear the confusion. For those unaware, veganism is really the full extent of vegetarianism in the sense that if one one vegetarian to prevent animals being harmed, one should consider being vegan too, because animals exploited for their produce like milk, leather, cheese, butter, eggs, fur, wool, silk, honey… eventually get slaughtered when deemed unproductive.
I would like to add to the above news that the first humans have to be by default vegetarian… I mean… vegan (if you know what I mean due to the above)… because it is infinitely much more natural to pluck fruits and other plants to eat via gathering than via hunting, trapping and killing of animals for their flesh and produce like milk and eggs. In the Buddhist perspective too, the first humans are really vegan, as they ingested for food a substance floating on the seas – something sweet and earthy.
Related Articles:
Origin of the Word ‘Vegan’
http://veg.ca/content/view/164/113
What the First Humans Ate
https://moonpointer.com/new/2010/03/how-humans-and-gods-arose
Besides the history, present reality supports going vegan, also known as plant based.
a. animal based foods, including dairy and egg, aren’t necessary and contribute to heart disease, diabetes and other diseases. Our Health Minister, Mr Khaw, now eats a plant based diet.
b. dairy and egg production contribute to global warming, as the cows and chickens produce methane and nitrous oxide (both greenhouse gases).
c. the lives of the chickens and cows in modern egg and dairy facilities are short and cruel; plus, once their production slackens, they’re off to be slaughtered.
Indeed!
Everyone! Do go read George’s latest articles @
Is Singapore Ready for a Plant-based Food Day?
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/07/ready-for-plant-based-food-day
How a Weekly Plant-Based Food Day Might Work
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/07/how-plant-food-day-might-work
(Y)
It seems that the term ‘vegan’ these days is misinterpreted too. Apparently some people do not know that veganism means egg and dairy free. Some call themselves vegan while taking honey and claiming that abstaining from honey is silly, and that they would kill bees if they saw any. Think it is quite similar to how some people claim to be vegetarians and yet eat fish and chicken.
I think vegans should all be more proactive in sharing with people what being a vegan means. When pple ask if I’m a vegetarian (or some other related question), I take the opportunity to say I’m actually a vegan, and proceed to share on what that means! Amituofo
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