Human Shield (1893); Broccoli Rabe (1928); Snail Salad

[Laurence Horn]

>In a message dated 1/27/03 8:10:54 PM, funex79 at SLONET.ORG writes:
>
><< Isn't broccoli rabe the same thing as broccoli rape of which there are many
>
>cites in google?
>
>  >>
>
>Yes. "Rape" means "turnips" in Italian. The proper Italian term is "Broccoli
>di rape".

Right, from the Latin _(brassica) rapa_--all that is actually given
in the AHD4 entry I posted earlier.  Of course the Italian "rape" is
bisyllabic.

>I believe "Broccoli rabe" is a variation based in southern
>dialects,and it probably gained currency in English because of the
>uncomfortable association with the word "rape" -- probably the same reason
>"rapeseed oil" is now called "canola oil."
>
>Steve Boatti