180. Jujube: How the Odyssey Almost Ended Early

Kyle and Emily unwrap a deceptively sweet treat this week: jujube. What seems only to be a humble fruit quickly reveals a tangled history of biblical proportions. From man’s original sin, to Odysseus’ fruit-addled men, what was once medicine is now a sweet tooth’s dream.

From Classical Latin and Greek, through French phonetic quirks, and into a global plant of myth, the fruit finds its way into both biblical lore and the hands of Homer’s lotus-eaters. Transcending its role as a mere plant botanical, Kyle proves jujube to be the cultural and linguistic novelty it is.

Finally, the word dissolves quite literally into medicine and sweets. Kyle takes Emily for a trip to an early apothecary only to reveal it’s really just a candyshop. A small word, a long chew, and plenty of flavor left to savor. It may not totally relieve your cough, but it’ll be sweet going down at least!