I feel like I have a pretty good vocabulary. I can use words like "juxtaposition" and "akimbo;" I know the difference between the words "effect" and "affect." But I have to hand it to these Active Rain guys. They have come up with word after word that I have never heard of.
So, let's find out what they mean together! This is the first of an ongoing series that will explain the meaning behind the mysterious and intriguing 'confirmation word-graphics' that A/R uses to help prevent spam-posts, etc.
The first word is Naranjilla. What is that? I speak Spanish a bit, so I know there's 'orange' in it - but what's the '-jilla'??
From Wikipedia... "The naranjilla is a subtropical perennial plant from northwestern South America. The juice of the naranjillas is somewhat green and is used as a beverage. Ripe naranjilla fruit is very delicious, but must be harvested when fully ripe otherwise they can be quite sour. Naranjilla are attractive plants, with large heart shaped leaves up to 30cm in length. The leaves and stems of the plant are covered in short purple hairs. Naranjilla are fairly sensitive and must be protected from strong winds, and grow best in partial shade as full sunlight is too intense."
Tasty!
Next is "Taruma." I got not a clue...After a quick look-up, it appears that Taruma is both a city in Sao Paulo, Brazil and a berry-producing ornamental plant.
Here's what japi has to say... "As suas flores são meliferas. Os frutos são comestíveis e também muito procurados por macacos, pássaros e outras espécies da fauna.A árvore é bastante ornamental."
Literal translation... "Its flowers are meliferas. The fruits are eatable and also very looked for for monkeys, birds and other species of fauna.A tree is sufficiently ornamental."
Neat!
The final word for today is "Galangale." Fun to say? Sure! But is it fruit?? I'm going to say yes, but let's see...
... Also called "galangal," it's a root, like ginger. Wiki says "... a rhizome with culinary and medicinal uses, best known in the west today for its appearance in Southeast Asia cuisine but also common in recipes from medieval Europe. In its raw form, galangal has a soapy, earthy aroma and a pine-like flavor with a faint hint of citrus. It is available as a powder from vendors of Oriental spices and is also available whole, cut or powdered from vendors of herbs. A mixture of galangal and lime juice is used as a tonic in parts of Southeast Asia. It is said to have the effect of an aphrodisiac, and act as a stimulant. Galangal is also known somewhat confusingly as, galingale, the name for several unrelated plants of the Cyperus genus of sedges, also with aromatic rhizomes."
Tasty!
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Until next time...
Christina :)
Note: This series will certainly be powered mainly by my 1980 Oxford American Dictionary and Wikipedia.
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