I still don’t understand why they won’t let tomatoes in….They’re fruit too! It’s discrimination, that’s what it is…..Haters! Haters of tomaters!…..Oh, sure, they let rhubarb in, and yet he’s not even a fruit! Son of a peach!
And … please…All old wives tales, hearsay, and “funny” posters about wisdom aside…. the tomato is NOT NOT NOT a fruit!Forgive me all this, but … Botanically speaking, any edible growing parts of a plant itself, such as leaves and stems, are vegetables …. from the “vegetative” part of the life cycle.Lettuce, celery… and yes, rhubarb.In the “fruiting” stage, a plant, or part of it, stops and turns its energy to making seeds.Anything formed or ripened for reproductive purposes… like the ovaries, seeds, and all the layers thereof, usually detachable at no harm, .. is a fruit.That includes peas, beans, walnuts, oats, bananas and yes, tomatoes.Even babies were called the “fruit” of ones loins… because they come from the ovary.Obviously the botanical terms are neither common parlance nor culinary terms…. everybody knows peas are a vegetable. And corn and peppers, and green beans… all actually botanical fruit.
Calling tomatoes fruit came from publicity about a 19th century US Supreme Court case over customs duties, which actually declared them a vegetable.But newspapers were scarce, radios not invented… the idea that tomatoes were fruit had caught the public fancy … and the spurious label has been spreading for over 100 years.They’re actually nightshades, Solanaceae…from the huge family that includes peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tobacco, petunias and…. deadly nightshade.Ooh I found it….The court case.Thanks, innerwebs.
Professor Sunshine, Refkaycei is right….I think you mixed up the two words there…I’m sure it was probably past you’re bedtime,…..But thanks for the link…..I never knew the exact reason it’s not called a fruit, but like you say, peas, corn, cukes, etc. are fruits too…..Happy I could T that up for ya
Allen Rymer over 10 years ago
no skin off his nose….hey….are those the fruit of the loom guys in the background?
Varnes over 10 years ago
I still don’t understand why they won’t let tomatoes in….They’re fruit too! It’s discrimination, that’s what it is…..Haters! Haters of tomaters!…..Oh, sure, they let rhubarb in, and yet he’s not even a fruit! Son of a peach!
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 10 years ago
“Honeydew you think you should pick on Father Banana ripe after the service?
Everybody else will soon leave… in fact, a big bunch are going to bowl."
Hey Bev!
I yam impressed!(I know yams aren’t fruit…. but I root for them cos they’re so sweet.)
I thought you’d squeezed everything possible out of it…but I found a pear of lines, anyway.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 10 years ago
And … please…All old wives tales, hearsay, and “funny” posters about wisdom aside…. the tomato is NOT NOT NOT a fruit!Forgive me all this, but … Botanically speaking, any edible growing parts of a plant itself, such as leaves and stems, are vegetables …. from the “vegetative” part of the life cycle.Lettuce, celery… and yes, rhubarb.In the “fruiting” stage, a plant, or part of it, stops and turns its energy to making seeds.Anything formed or ripened for reproductive purposes… like the ovaries, seeds, and all the layers thereof, usually detachable at no harm, .. is a fruit.That includes peas, beans, walnuts, oats, bananas and yes, tomatoes.Even babies were called the “fruit” of ones loins… because they come from the ovary.Obviously the botanical terms are neither common parlance nor culinary terms…. everybody knows peas are a vegetable. And corn and peppers, and green beans… all actually botanical fruit.
Calling tomatoes fruit came from publicity about a 19th century US Supreme Court case over customs duties, which actually declared them a vegetable.But newspapers were scarce, radios not invented… the idea that tomatoes were fruit had caught the public fancy … and the spurious label has been spreading for over 100 years.They’re actually nightshades, Solanaceae…from the huge family that includes peppers, eggplants, potatoes, tobacco, petunias and…. deadly nightshade.Ooh I found it….The court case.Thanks, innerwebs.
OK …. I’m done.
Nighthawks Premium Member over 10 years ago
peachy? avocado you’re too sensitive?
A. Buckeye over 10 years ago
Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go watermelons.
SunflowerGirl100 over 10 years ago
What a nice pear! He’s obviously the apple of her eye!
ossiningaling over 10 years ago
Father must be slipping.
Varnes over 10 years ago
Professor Sunshine, Refkaycei is right….I think you mixed up the two words there…I’m sure it was probably past you’re bedtime,…..But thanks for the link…..I never knew the exact reason it’s not called a fruit, but like you say, peas, corn, cukes, etc. are fruits too…..Happy I could T that up for ya