During the month of July, for the 238th time the United States celebrates its freedom! It is interesting to note, on America’s Birthday, that the concept of taste has become a metaphor for experience.

Conceived during the Vietnam War Era, and supposedly derived from a reported quote by General George Patton, the phrase For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know” provides a stunning, nearly tactile sense of our military fighting for our freedom.

How many times have you said “I came so close to winning I could taste it”, or ‘Boy, did that experience leave a nasty taste in my mouth”, or “whoever designed that dress has really strange taste.”  Above all of the other senses, the sense of taste is used frequently to describe joy or defeat, disappointment or pride. It conveys opinions about fashion, food, victory, defeat, excitement, art, music and speech.

According to freedictionary.com, the noun taste is defined as:

1. the sense by which the qualities and flavour of a substance are distinguished by the taste buds

2. the sensation experienced by means of the taste buds

3. the act of tasting

4. a small amount eaten, drunk, or tried on the tongue

5. a brief experience of something (a taste of the whip)

6. a preference or liking for something; inclination (to have a taste for danger)

7. the ability to make discerning judgments about aesthetic, artistic, and intellectual matters; discrimination (to have taste)

8. judgment of aesthetic or social matters according to a generally accepted standard (bad taste)

9. discretion; delicacy (that remark lacks taste).

How remarkable a word! How stunning an image!

As far as the tongue goes and its ability to taste, know that the buildup of bacteria and the sticky tongue plaque that covers them, prevent our “taste buds” from fully coming in contact with food!  We might be missing the best that food has to offer.  So, for the primary definition of taste, remember to always incorporate The Original TUNG Brush and TUNG Gel into your daily oral hygiene routine! It is the best tongue cleaner on the market. Not only will you enhance your taste, but your oral health, too.

And, always remember the metaphor For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know”.  Never forget to be thankful for your freedom—cherish it, enjoy it, taste it!