I was just having a riveting conversation with the shoutbox and wanted to make an official place for us to discuss this topic.

Is cereal a soup?

....... I vote no. Are we voting? Because no.

it can be whatever it dreams of being. kind of like borscht, but, without beets.

I'll say nooo... Isn't cereal like more closely related to oatmeal and porridge. It's a bread/oat/flour product in water or milk.

yes. But what makes something soup? Is it the liquid?

I think it has to do with the liquid being hot? I mean you can eat cold soup but.... I think perhaps it depends 1. on the temperature 2. on the savoriness of the meal (cereal/oatmeal/porridge being more sweet maybe?)

Wikipedia defines soup as "Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot (but may be cool or cold), that is made by combining ingredients such as meat and vegetables with stock, juice, water, or another liquid" from a quick google search...but that's not particularly helpful either...

However, voting 'yes' to cereal = soup sounds like much more fun.

I think you're my hero.

All the scholars seem to make assertions that aren't backed by data or research. "Soup is savory" BUT what about Apple soup? It is sweet. (And not bad)

Also "another liquid" includes milk.

You're right, it seems to be one of those lines that I don't think is and has never been properly and scientifically defined--maybe it comes from something hundreds of years ago, soup with scrap meats and root vegetables heated all together to make a dish that's cheap, hearty, and filling, and was probably named then?

But this is also just coming right out of my ass, so maybe probably not.

I think there's definitely something there. Maybe it's time to change the definition?

I think that's a good idea! What would you change the definition of soup to, though?

And how would you define cereal? Would part of that mean it has to be cold and eaten with milk?

...can one make a cereal soup?

Anything is soup if you're brave enough.

YOU get me. I'd give that comment a strong 9 out of 10. Very brave.

Cereal can be hot or cold, much like soup. A cereal soup is just a bowl of cereal (or oatmeal).

Cereal is a milk-based broth soup with wheat chunks. Often sweetened.

I personally say no. What if you have a bowl of cereal without the milk? I do that anymore because I'm a slow eater and soggy cereal is no fun.

if cereal without milk is still called cereal ... that means ... cereal with milk must be called ... cereal soup!

sorry, i don't make the rules.

The name of the original object doesn't make or break what it becomes. Much like chicken is called chicken when cooked and when alive in English. Just because we don't have a term for raw dry cereal does not mean it's not a soup once it's wet.

I...

Am I hallucinating?

What?

Depends, did you eat expired cereal?

I came here to have a good time and I feel so attacked rn. XD

Love the definition.

Yes, yes you are.