“Epicurean” derives from the name of the Greek philosopher Epicurus and the school he founded in the third century BCE. He taught his disciples that the “good life” was one that caused pleasure and led to enjoyment (though not excessively), and should be pursued over a life that brought pain and discomfort. With a capital “E,” both the adjective and the noun “Epicurean” reference that school of thought. As a lowercase word, the adjective “epicurean” describes anything related to a lifestyle devoted to enjoyment of food and drink, while the noun designates a person who luxuriates in that manner of life.