Dr. Word asks: Artisan pizza from Domino’s?

by David Safier

I've heard it on TV. I read it today in the Star. So it must be true. Domino's now makes artisan pizza.

The word "artisan" mixes together "art" and "craftsman" (Sorry, I had to use the male form instead of the gender neutral "craftsperson" to be historically accurate and pick up the ending syllable, "an"). It's about hands-on work by someone with skills. It doesn't mean you occasionally throw some feta on your pizza instead of mozzarella or call your topping "salami" instead of "pepperoni."

The term "artisan" is already a bit overused in the food world, but at least artisan bakeries tend to have real people touching real dough made with quality ingredients.

To paraphrase Senator Lloyd Bentsen: I've known artisans. Artisans have been friends of mine. Domino's, you're no artisan.