The English Language - The Bastard

[Jack Field]

Hello one and all,

Here is my contribution to the great stock of literature and verse that has come to pass giving the English language it's gravity, it's genius, it's staying power.

Although the darling of world languages has its place firmly set in all far and distant corners of the world, and maintains its place at the highest levels of human existence, in government, in business and indeed in the farest of reaches of space unto which man hath dared to travel, its adventurous and remarkable history is one which needs to be investigated. So my question, to start this big fat ball rolling is,,,,,.......

What is the origin of the word.......

Spinach???????

[Richard Roman]

This is a good site for those of us of a nerdy disposition

http://etymonline.com/

[Richard Roman]

Not many people know this.................

n 1533, Catherine de' Medici became queen of France; she so fancied spinach that she insisted it be served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as "Florentine", reflecting Catherine's birth in Florence.

[CCF Beijing]

Popeye (pictured below) sure didn't invent SPINACH....but he sure did popularize it!

[CCF Beijing]

[Richard Roman]

Originally Spinachi a close cousin of the famous philosopher Spinoza

[Laura Zhang]

ORIGIN Middle English : probably from Old French espinache, via Arabic from Persianaspānā k .