Boss and former coworker got into a very amusing argument over this and it got me curious.
The name “yam” is used for a few different root vegetables.
The word is from West Africa and refers originally to Dioscorea yams, which are found in many parts of the world — having been independently domesticated in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The word “yam” is related to the Fulani word for “to eat”, and was introduced into European languages by way of Portuguese colonizers.
But in the US, “yam” almost always refers to a variety of sweet-potato (Ipomoea genus), which is more closely related to a morning-glory flower than to either Dioscorea or a true potato (which is a Solanum nightshade).
Both sweet-potatoes and potatoes are native to the Americas. Sweet-potatoes probably were grown first in the Yucatán or in eastern South America, while true potatoes are from Peru and western South America.
Meanwhile in New Zealand, a “yam” is oca, an Oxalis species — close relatives of sourgrass and redwood sorrel. And in Malaysia, “yam” is taro root!
This guy knows his potatoes.
Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew.
I’m rather impressed.
For real! I’m impressed.
The word “yam” is related to the Fulani word for “to eat"
The etymology is a bit messy. It might be from Fula, but it’s probably from Wolof ⟨ñàmbi⟩. Nowadays the Wolof word means yucca, but given that yucca is from the Americas, odds are that it was originally used for any edible root; or potentially another local root.
Either way (from Fula or Wolof), the word ended in Portuguese as ⟨inhame⟩ [iɲɐ̃.me]. Nowadays it refers to taro, but before that English borrowed ⟨inhame⟩ as ⟨yam⟩.
Nowadays the Wolof word means yucca, but given that yucca is from the Americas, odds are that it was originally used for any edible root; or potentially another local root.
That reminds me of how the word “corn” referred to any grain until maize was discovered
Yup, it’s the same underlying phenomenon - as maize becomes the prototypical non-wheat cereal grain for plenty speakers, they eventually repurpose the word “corn” to mean exclusively “maize”. (British dialects are the exception that prove the rule, as maize isn’t so prevalent in the islands.)
This doesn’t happen just with crops, mind you - even animals get this treatment. Guarani “jagua” for example went from “hunting beast, specially jaguar” to “dog”, while Navajo “łį́į́ʼ” went from “pet, livestock, specially dog” to “horse”.
Thats super interesting, great write up!
yams and sweet potatoes are not the same. Yams have rough, dark brown skin that is often compared to tree bark, and their flesh is dry and starchy like a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have smooth reddish skin, softer flesh (when cooked), and a sweet flavor.
It seems so obvious yet there is still so much confusion in the US
Is that the reason the other guy is now a former coworker?
She is going through some rough shit and couldn’t work here anymore, but her and boss have been friends for years.
Sweet potatoes makes your fart smell.
Yams do not.
Source: my (unfortunate) experience in forbidden lands
