why is a deviled egg called a deviled egg?

Answer 1

According to the food historians the practice of "devilling" food "officially" began sometime during the 18th century in England. Why? Because that was when the term "deviled," as it relates to food, first shows up in print. The earliest use of this culinary term was typically associated with kidneys & other meats, not stuffed eggs:

"Devil...A name for various highly-seasoned broiled or fried dishes, also for hot ingredients. 1786, Craig "Lounger NO. 86 'Make punch, brew negus, and season a devil.'"
---Oxford English Dictionary (the 1786 reference is the first use of this word in print. Words are often part of the oral language long before they appear in print).

"Devil--a culinary term which...first appeared as a noun in the 18th century, and then in the early 19th century as a verb meaning to cook something with fiery hot spices or condiments...The term was presumably adopted because of the connection between the devil and the excessive heat in Hell...Boswell, Dr Johnson's biographer, frequently refers to partaking of a dish of "devilled bones" for supper, which suggests an earlier use."
---The Oxford Companion to Food, Alan Davidson [Oxford University Press:Oxford] 1999 (pages 247-248).
[James Boswell lived from 1740-1795, Dr. Johnson's biography was published in 1791]

"Deviled...Any variety of dishes prepared with hot seasonings, such as cayenne or mustard. The word derives from the association with the demon who dwells in hell. In culinary context the word first appears in print in 1786; by 1820 Washington Irving has used the word in his Sketchbook to describe a highly seasoned dish similar to a curry. Deviled dishes were very popular throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries, especially for seafood preparations and some appetizers." ---The Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink, John Mariani [Lebhar-Friedman:New York] 1999 (pages 110-111)

"Around 1868, Underwood's sons began experimenting with a new product created from ground ham blended with special seasonings. The process they dubbed "deviling," for cooking and preparing the ham, was new. But best of all, the taste was unique. Soon thereafter, the "Underwood devil" was born."
History of the Underwood Company

Answer 2

They are called that because of the firey spices used in the egg yolk stuffing in traditional deviled eggs. The word Deviled in this case comes from a verb meaning to cooksomrthing with fiery hot spices or condiments.

Answer 3

Devilling is the process of applying a highly flavoured paste or a mixture of dry condiments to legs of poultry, game, fish roes etc., and then grilling them or coating them with breadcrumbs and frying them. Various mixtures of condiments are used but they usually include some very hot ingredients and something piquant: made mustard is often used. Turkey legs and similar foods are slashed in several places so that the mixture may be inserted or rubbed in. Usually devilled eggs would be hard boiled and coated with a curry mixture. They are called devilled because the spices used are hot, like hell would be one imagines.

Answer 4

Because the egg looks like the devil got hold of it and really messed it up!

Answer 5

devilled eggs or any kind of food that is devilled usually means it has tobasco sauce and the spicy kind of paprika in it. as far as the eggs it is just the yolk that is spiced up. but you can make devilled ham, devilled chicken

Answer 6

this one's easy...they're called deviled eggs because i went to the movis last night to see superman returns. it's a great movie, by the way. some folks believe they're called deviled eggs because today's tuesday, but that's not it. thank you.

Answer 7

Deviled foods..such as the deviled egg mean that they have a variety of spices..presumalby hot or spicy..such as mustard or cayenne pepper.

Answer 8

"Deviled" is in reference to the fiery spices (sometimes) added to make the egg stuffing.

Answer 9

Highly seasoned foods are caled "deviled"...as in eggs, ham...etc.

Answer 10

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......thnks 4 the points...and it's jus a deviled egg...leave it alone...