On 4/13/2016 12:47 PM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> Perhaps Gary meant "quintessential American food", in which case I'd
> have to go with the hamburger. There's no "The" traditional American
> food.

Define the semantic niggle room between "quintessential" and "traditional".

And recall YOU reset the modifier, not Gary...

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/traditional

1.
of or relating to tradition.
2.
handed down by tradition.
3.
in accordance with tradition.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/tradition

1.
the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information,
etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by
practice:


http://www.dictionary.com/browse/quintessential?s=t

1.
of the pure and essential essence of something:
the quintessential Jewish delicatessen.
2.
of or relating to the most perfect embodiment of something:
the quintessential performance of the Brandenburg Concertos.


Now since he never said one word about the "essential essence" or
"perfect embodiment" of anything I submit your semantic decouple is a
total non sequitur!

Try not to out-think yourself like this, it's what makes this group a
noise level unto itself, dear.