divided by a common language (links)

[baratron]

Earlier today I was wondering, almost completely at random, "Hmm, rapeseed oil. That's a bit of a dodgy name. I wonder if there's anyone who's offended by it?". (Rapeseed oil is the main component of the really excellent dairy-free spread that I buy). Then on irc someone linked to a really awful guide to British English, and I looked around the site. What did I find, but the answer to my question. Turns out it's named from the Latin rapere.

I also found a competent guide to British English, a list of differences between the US and UK versions of Harry Potter, and tons of other stuff. It kept me amused for a few minutes, anyway.

Although there's nothing quite like taking a break from my thesis to do some chemistry research. Someone was confused by a new age site talking about cyanide as a component of vitamins, so I had to take a look. Amazingly, the science turned out to be absolutely correct, and quoted from a well-known chemist who I've heard of. Now that's a first :)

Comments

[36.livejournal.com]

Here, when it's growing in the fields we refer to the crop as 'rape' or 'oil seed rape', usually we'd say 'oil seed rape' in the first occurance and then refer to it as 'rape' from then on. In products it's called 'vegetable oil' or occasionally 'rapeseed oil' (Tesco vegetable oil has a picture of rape flowers on the label).