Old Welsch custom of giving a gift of
food with one serving missing.
The β
Promiseβ of the gesture was that this gift would not be given if it were not at least good enough for the person giving the gift. The missing serving was presumed to be used to confirm the quality of the item and evaluate possible improvements.
The custom is thought to have originated in the
mid-seventeenth century.
We did not understand why our Thanksgiving turkey only had one
wing until my grandfather explained the
custom of the Welsch
promise, and itβs purpose of honoring his guests.