Sunday, 7 April 2013

Sunday Rest: Word Not To Use Today: drupe.

I must admit that it doesn't help that drupe sounds the same as droop, but the main reason why this word should never be used outside a laboratory is that it's a truly dismal way to describe something as luscious as a peach, plum or cherry.

Peaches
photo by Teodoro S Gruhl.

I suppose it could be worse, though - and in fact sometimes it is. Some poor fruits, such as blackberries and raspberries, are known scientifically as drupelets.



On the other hand, the walnut is a drupacious nut.

File:A walnut fruit unopened.jpg
Photo by Andrew McMillan

And you know something? I feel quite sure that now I'm aware of that then every walnut I eat will taste all the nuttier.

Word Not To Use Today: drupe. This word comes from the Latin druppa, which means wrinkled overripe olive.

And, hey, you know something? I think I used to know her.


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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous8 April 2013 at 16:17

    I have quite a lot of soutaches (is that the correct plural?) It's a look I rather like. I always just called it frogging. Soutache is a much better word, though it makes me think of something that lives under a moustache!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sally Prue8 April 2013 at 17:02

    But what WOULD you find under a moustache? A tache-louse? Some sort of James Bond listening device?
    A tattoo admitting to a secret passion for Zsa Zsa Gabor?

    I envy you your soutaches, anyway: wear them with pride!

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