tl;dr-ELT

People often assume language is just about words—but what about symbols, gestures, or even food packaging? Lately, Waffle House has been popping up on social media due to its secret system of plate-marking. At this U.S. diner chain, the staff communicate meal modifications not with words, but with jelly packets [‘jam’ in the UK], pickles & butter knives.

So, is this just a quirky workplace hack, or does it reveal something deeper about how languages evolve?

Waffle House, with 1,900+ locations across the U.S. South, is famous for its 24/7 service & fiercely loyal customers [who knew?]. But behind the counter, communication is key—so instead of shouting out orders, cooks & servers use a system of jelly packets, butter knives & pickles placed on plates to indicate meal modifications. Want scrambled eggs with white toast? That’s a jelly packet near the bottom of the plate. A breakfast sandwich with bacon? Two pickles at the bottom.

It’s an efficient, silent, & context-dependent system—raising the question: does it count as language?

What Constitutes a Language?

Linguists have long debated this question. A fully-fledged language, like English or Spanish, has a structured grammar, infinite creativity (you can say things never said before), & the ability to express abstract ideas. Waffle House plate-marking doesn’t have those. It’s more like a code: limited in scope, but with a clear system of meaning.

But what about sign languages? They were once dismissed as ‘gesture codes’ until linguistic research (e.g., Stokoe, 1960) proved that American Sign Language (ASL) has its own grammar & structure. Likewise, pidgins—simplified languages that arise between speakers of different tongues—were once seen as ‘broken’ [by colonial authorities in particular] but are now recognised as full linguistic systems when they develop into creoles (e.g., Haitian Creole).

Even writing was once considered just a representation of speech rather than a separate linguistic system. Could restaurant codes, emoji-based communication, or even internet slang evolve into something more complex over time?

While Waffle House plate-marking isn’t a language, it’s a fascinating example of how humans naturally develop efficient communication systems within specific groups. A couple of examples spring to mind:

1. Hobo Code (Early 20^th -Century U.S.) – During the Great Depression, itinerant workers (hobos) used a system of chalk symbols to communicate essential survival information to each other. A simple drawing of a cat meant “kind woman lives here,” while a cross indicated a religious organisation offering help. Though not a language, this visual system efficiently conveyed crucial information among a transient community.
2. Nicaraguan Sign Language (1970s-Present) – In the 1970s, deaf children in Nicaragua who had no formal sign language exposure started developing their own system of gestures to communicate. Initially a basic “home sign” system, their interactions in schools led to a spontaneously emerging true language with grammatical structures. Linguists studied this process as a real-time example of language evolution, demonstrating how structured communication can arise naturally.

Both of these show how humans instinctively create structured, efficient ways to communicate—even in the absence of a fully developed linguistic system [I can’t see this happening at Waffle House though, TBH].

Teacher Takeaways?

 For ELT teachers, this raises some interesting points:

1. Multimodal Communication Matters – Language isn’t just about words. Pairing speech with gestures, visuals & symbols can enhance learning (Mayer, 2005). This supports using images, icons & even real-world systems like metro maps to teach meaning.
2. Context Shapes Understanding – Just like Waffle House staff instantly decode a jelly packet’s meaning in their setting, students need exposure to language in real-world contexts. Authentic materials, from restaurant menus to WhatsApp chats, help bridge the gap between classroom English & actual use.
3. Codes, Slang & New Englishes – English is constantly evolving, with codes & slang shaping its future. From internet abbreviations (e.g., LOL) to Singaporean Singlish, understanding these shifts helps students engage with real-world English, rather than just textbook rules.

Have you ever used symbols, codes, or unconventional means to communicate in the classroom?