STRAWberries?

[dohnutdic]

I understand why a blackberry is called a blackberry, and I understand why a blueberry is called a blueberry,but why are strawberries called STRAWberries???

[wendilla]

Not too sure but years ago gardeners used to cover them with straw to protect them .

[sir.prize]

This may explain . . . .

http://www.snopes.com/language/notthink/strawberry.asp

[Dkeyse]

Go to a pick-your-own farm in the summer and you will see why! Strawberries are grown around a bed of straw to protect them from touching the ground and mulching. Some growers even sell the straw at the end of the season as an extra source of income!

[Quizmonster]

The link provided by Sir.prize does nor work (for me), so I do not know what it says. However, the 'straw' in 'strawberry' most probably has nothing to do with the fact that straw that might be used during the berry's cultivation.
The Oxford English Dictionary - the 'bible' in such matters - says that several meanings have been suggested, but the only ones it gives house-room to are those suggesting the 'straw' element is simply a reference to the yellow...ie straw-coloured...seeds on the outer skin of the berry.

[rosyrussell]

www.snopes.com says: There are two theories as to the true origin of the word, both deriving from its first syllable. One explanation hinges on a particular meaning of "straw" � a particle of straw, chaff, or mote � describing the appearance of the achenes (tiny yellow seeds) scattered over the surface of the berry. Another view says it comes from "stray" or "strew," designating the spread of the plant's runners (slender tendrils), in that in an unchecked field of strawberries the plants appear to have been strewn across the ground with their runners straying everywhere. This second explanation is the more popular.

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for that, Rosy. As expected, nothing to do with cultivation in straw as such.

[Dkeyse]

You are wrong Quizmonster, in the middle ages this fruit was always protected by straw due to it's softness, and it's name derives from that!

[Grunty]

Dkeyse - Quizmonster's authority was the Oxford English Dictionary, which spends an enormous amount of time and effort in being the principal reference work. Quizmonster can be wrong, but I for one would be interested to know the authority for a different answer. No doubt the OED would like to consider updating their records as well.

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for that, Grunty. Dkeyse is, of course, perfectly free to believe an etymology at odds with the one offered by TOED. He/she should, however, be aware that everyone who knows anything about the English language considers that publication to be the authority on such matters.
As the recent 'Balderdash & Piffle' TV series showed, the scholars who edit it are always open to suggestions from the public as regards changes. I have a notion that the 'bed of straw' idea, however, will never grace its pages! End of story.

[Dkeyse]

I will treat it all with the contempt it deserves!

[dohnutdic]

NO arguing on my question!!!!!!

[Quizmonster]

I'm afraid, Doh, that when one starts a thread on AnswerBank one creates a hostage to fortune! In other words, what happens to it is out of your hands...and rightly so. This is a 'discussion' as well as an 'answer' website.
Of course, if you personally want no more to do with it, you can ask to have no further indication of responses provided, I understand. Alternatively, just delete them from your e-mail list without reading them. Cheers