Why is horseradish called horseradish.... is it because they put horse in it? 🐴

edited January 2021 in General

Food for thought (or horse for thought)

  1. Why is horseradish called horseradish?13 votes
    1. They put horse in it
        7.69%
    2. They put radish in it
        7.69%
    3. A horse ran into the house when they were thinking about the name
      30.77%
    4. broccoli πŸ₯¦
      53.85%

Comments

  • [Deleted User]squeakytoy (deleted user)

    Because when you eat it too fast, it feels like a horse kicked you in the face.

  • [Deleted User]verona (deleted user)

    I had to look it up but now I don’t wanna say because I feel like it’s cheating but maybe you wanted me to look it up which is a test so maybe I should say so you know I did it but do I want to be tested omg now I am so confused And have a craving for horseradish

  • Hahaha @verona πŸ’― !!! 😝

  • No, they put radish in the horse

  • [Deleted User]DarkLordChungus (deleted user)

    @introvme

    Didn't you make some passive-aggressive post about how you weren't going to post tons of random threads anymore?

  • They put radish in it. More specifically, a type of radish that horses eat.

  • In the Middle Ages mere peasants ate coarse food that was not much different from what horses were fed. To differentiate from radishes that fine noble people ate, they disparagingly labeled the coarse, harsh tasting ones as horse radishes. Centuries later, the coarse harsh food is what fine noble people eat while peasants buy regular radishes at Walmart.

  • Thank you soo much for that @UCpaaHVg6u0 i consider myself a historybuff/nerd & that was very interesting!! That actually reminded me of how centuries ago the rich & wealthy would sit at the top of a venue / stadium 🏟/ auditorium to see a performance & get the entire view while the poor go the front seats , now it has undoubtedly changed , thanks again!

  • @introvme That is an interesting fact! I'm speculating that the heady aromas combined with the mix of gore, mud, and horse manure being violently thrown around in the frenzied melee may have decided that arrangement.

  • I’m gonna have to agree πŸ˜…πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

  • edited January 2021

    horseradish, n.

    Etymology: See horse n. Compounds 2c....

    1. A cruciferous plant ( Cochlearia Armoracia), with white flowers and broad rough leaves, a native of middle Europe and western Asia, commonly cultivated for its root (see 2).

    2. The thick rootstock of this plant, which has a very pungent flavour, and is scraped or grated down as a condiment.

    horse, n.
    2.
    c. In names of plants, fruits, etc. (often denoting a large, strong, or coarse kind: cf. similar use of Rosz- in German, in Roszveilchen, etc.)

    OED


    A related theory suggests that it derives from the German meerrettich (sea radish, since it grew near the sea) and came into English misprounced as mareradish. It's a small jump then to horseradish. Didn't come to England until 1640. Started as a food of countryfolk and labourers, but before the end of the century it became the standard accompaniment with beef and oysters for everybody, and was commonly grown at inns.

    https://horseradish.org/horseradish-facts/horseradish-history/

    Radish comes from the Latin for root.

  • [Deleted User]sage_wisdom (deleted user)

    well if it puts a little stride in your step....

  • If we're talking misleading food names, can I give a shout out to 'sweetbreads'?

    Before finding out what it is:

    "Wow, sweetbreads. Cool. Who doesn't love sweet things and bready things."

    After finding out what it is:

    "Waiter, can I change my order please?"

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