A long-standing culinary and linguistic puzzle has been highlighted in the latest postbag of letters to the Guardian, alongside clarifications on football history and gardening tips.
The Great Root Vegetable Debate
One reader from Hammersmith, London, has shared a confusion that has persisted for 57 years. Linda Seal explained that while growing up in Sunderland, the large, round vegetable with orange flesh was known as a turnip, and the smaller, purple and cream one with white flesh was a swede. Upon moving to London, she found the names were reversed. This regional variation in naming for Brassica napus (swede/rutabaga) and Brassica rapa (turnip) continues to baffle many across the UK.
Setting the Record Straight on Swindon Town
In a separate correspondence, a reader has corrected a point of football history. David Bibby from Bramley, Hampshire, addressed a quiz reference which suggested Swindon Town had a league title stripped. He clarified that while the club was found guilty of financial misconduct in 1990 and denied promotion to the old First Division after winning the play-offs, they never actually won a title that could be taken away.
Gardening for Diversity and Charity
Turning to horticulture, a gardener participating in the National Garden Scheme has written in about embracing unusual plants. Jocelyn Hartland-Swann from Badby, Northamptonshire, reported that aquilegia, geranium, and verbascum all flourish in their garden, which is opened for charity. Visitors are welcome to take seedlings and small plants. Inspired by recent calls to safeguard floral diversity, they are also planning to try growing thalictrum, a plant new to their garden.
A Timely Political Observation
The letters section also featured a wry comment on current affairs. A reader from Reading noted the good timing of the story about former minister Robert Jenrick joining the Reform party, as it broke while they were watching the BBC reality show The Traitors, known for its themes of betrayal and strategy.
The Guardian continues to invite opinions from its readers on any topic covered, asking them to submit letters for potential publication in the daily letters section.
