As a food, bread is ancient, common, and important. With regard to etymology, the proto-Germanic word *brautham referred to food in general and is the basis of the Old English “brēad.” Over time, the word became more specialized until today it refers not to food in general, but to a specific kind of food. By the twelfth century “bread” was most frequently used in its specific meaning.
The word “brew” may also come from the same stem as “bread.”
The word “companion” refers to someone with whom you share your bread: it is a compound noun using the Latin “com” (with) and “pānus” (bread). The English word “company” is also based on this compound noun. In an economic sense, the company is the source of the employee’s “bread” (money). “Bread” and “dough” as slang terms for “money” is common throughout the English-speaking world and shows the importance of this product.
The concept of the “bread winner” as the main economic contributor in the household and the phrase “putting bread on the table” also reinforce the importance of bread in our culture.
One of the common forms of bread is the loaf. With regard to etymology “loaf” comes from the proto-Germanic *khlaibaz. Interestingly, this is also related to “lady” and “lord” which initially referred to “loaf kneader” and “loaf guardian.”
In consuming bread, we don’t usually consume a loaf, but a slice. With regard to etymology, “slice” comes from the proto-Germanic *slītan meaning “slit.” This became *slījan in Frankish which was picked up by Old French to become “esclice” meaning “splinter.” English borrowed “slice” from the Old French and initially kept the meaning “splinter.” However, the change in meaning to “a piece cut from something” was first recorded in the early fifteenth century.
In both the United Kingdom and in North America, revolutionary innovations are referred to as “the greatest thing since sliced bread.”
Note: the * indicates that the Indo-European or prehistoric word has been reconstructed by historical linguists.