Ladybugs, Tiger Lilies, and Wallflowers: A Gardner's Book of Words

Hendrickson ( The Berry Book ; American Talk ) explains that okra, a not-so-delicate food, is called ``ladyfingers'' in England because the pods somehow evoke those gracious graspers. Humus, denoting organic stuff in the dirt, means ground in Latin, and also led to the development of the word ``humble.'' The daisy's etymological origins lie in Old English; the root of the word means ``eye of the day.'' These and other floral tidbits are presented alphabetically by plant or flower name in a compendium that will entertain and inform at the same time, noting not only where the words have come from but observations on how--and whether--the plants concerned live up to the name bestowed on them. For instance, does a truffle? The source in French means ``mockery.'' And weed? Yes, probably: it comes from ``wiod,'' the Saxon for ``wild.'' Basil, from the Greek for ``royal''? It's arguable. A browser will be rewarded, though a straight-through read may not be advisable. (Nov.)