Crazy English: FOODS that have BODY PARTS?

TL;DR

Learn about food names in English that are related to body parts, such as potatoes having "eyes" and corn being referred to as "ears".

Transcript

Hi, everyone. I have a potato. This potato is a very special potato because it's kind of old, and... Oh, it's looking at me. Hey, potato. This potato I have, it's probably very delicious if I cook it, but it's very old because it has these things growing off of the potato. Do you know what these things are called in English? They're called "eyes". ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 English uses body parts to describe certain foods in a metaphorical or descriptive sense.
• 😋 Some food names in Italian are also based on body parts, although they may not have the same association in English.
• 🖐️ Certain food names, like "chicken fingers" and "finger sandwiches", are not actually made from body parts, but are named so for their shape or the way they are eaten.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are potatoes referred to as having "eyes" in English?

In English, "eyes" is used to describe the sprouts or growths on a potato, which resemble eyes. It's just a descriptive term and not a literal indication of sight.

Q: How is corn counted in English?

While corn is generally uncountable, we use the term "ear of corn" to refer to a single piece. So, when we talk about multiple pieces, we say "ears of corn".

Q: What are some other examples of food names related to body parts?

Other examples include "angel hair pasta" (very thin pasta), "artichoke heart" (the edible part of an artichoke), and "elbow macaroni" (a type of pasta shaped like an elbow).

Q: Why are certain foods called "finger foods" and "finger sandwiches"?

"Finger foods" are small snacks or appetizers that can be easily eaten with the fingers. Similarly, "finger sandwiches" are regular sandwiches cut into smaller, finger-sized slices for convenience.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• English uses body parts to describe certain foods, like "ear of corn" and "head of lettuce".

• Some pasta names in Italian are also based on body parts, like "orecchiette" which means "ear".

• Food names like "chicken fingers" and "finger sandwiches" are not actually made from body parts, but are named so for their shape or the way they are eaten.

• Other examples include "navel oranges" and food slang like "nuts" and "buns".