Well , l never knew that ! ……

The origin of the word spud has wrongly been attributed to an 18th century activist group dedicated to keeping the potato out of Britain , calling itself the Society for Prevention of Unwholesome Diet.

 

But what's the real origin?

 

Spuds Murphy?

 

Apparently it comes from the name of the digging implement used to plant and up root them , which is in turn from a term for a short knife or dagger , first noted in the 1400s.

 

Thanks for that. I had come across spud as a digging implement, also as an addition to traction engine wheels to improve grip in muddy fields.
I wasn't sure which was first though.

 

I also wondered what on Earth a Fibonacci sequence could be used for. Now just need to memorise the first 100 numbers in the sequence

 

Barberry ( Berberis ) thorns have been used to clean ancient gold coins , as they are soft enough that they will not damage the surface but will remove corrosion and debris.

 

Cashew nut shells yield a black oil , used as a preservative and water-proofing agent in varnishes and timber sealants.

 

The Mangelwurzel (a cultivated root vegetable) has a history in England of being used for sport ( Mangold hurling ) , for animal fodder and for the brewing of a potent alcoholic beverage.

 

Big boobs on small females have the same effect in a swimming pool

 

Ragwort ( Jacobaea Vulgaris ) is the exclusive food source for around 30 insect species including the Cinnabar moth.

 

With the Deaths Head Hawk the only two I can recognise without a book.

 

Lithops ( living stones ) cannot lose water by transpiration, they rely on staying buried in cool soil below the surface.

 

Tengujo is the thinnest paper in the world. It is produced in Japan and is made from Kozo , stems of Mulberry trees.