Is it a Buttery or a Pantry?

The term "buttery" is seldom used these days, but as we learn more about the Primitive culture, I am sure you will hear the word used more often.  Actually the word "buttery" is chiefly a British term meaning (1) a room in which liquors were stored or (2) A place in colleges and universities where students may buy provisions.  In the Primitive day, it was a room for storing foods or wines.  Actually in some cases, the word "buttery" is used interchangably with the word "pantry".  A pantry has an extended use meaning a room where food, provisions or dishes are stored and served in an ancillary capacity to the kitchen.  Many years ago, there were separate rooms for different functions and food storage.  A pantry was mainly where bread was kept and the preparation associated with bread baking was done.  There were also rooms for storage of bacon and other meats known as a "larder".  Alcoholic beverages were stored in a buttery, known for the "butts" of barrels stored there.  Then there was the room called the kitchen where the actual food cooking was done.  In America, the pantry evolved from the Early American buttery.  The buttery was usually built in a cold north corner of a Colonial home.. The more common spelling was "butt'ry".  The pantry is becoming more popular in both American and English homes as part of a rekindling of nesting and homekeeping since the late 1990's.  It is becoming one of the most requested features in American homes today even though kitchens are being built larger than ever before.  There is quite a charm and nostalgia to the pantry as well as being a practical addition to any home.  The term pantry may be used for any small storeroom for non-perishible foods such as canned goods or dry goods.  Even though it is ideal, the pantry does not have to be located near the kitchen.  Sometimes a pantry can be located in the basement.  I have created a pantry in my laundry room that is just off my kitchen using purchased stainless steel shelving on wheels.  It keeps my staples handy and organized and frees up my kitchen cabinets for other storage.
(Pictures from "A Simple Life" Magazine and research provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)