[Sca-cooks] Re: Bay Berries (and books)

[smcclune at earthlink.net]

-----Original Message-----
From: "Terry Decker" <t.d.decker at worldnet.att.net>

Flower and Rosenbaum translate "bacae lauri" as "laurel berry."  A better 
choice than "bay berry."
<<<

<rueful grin> Yes, I know Vehling is not the greatest translation out there.  Unfortunately, I don't have Flower and Rosenbaum (yet!).  I notice ABE has a few copies at prices from US $40-$75, so it may be one of the things I get with my Christmas money.  BTW, anyone have an opinion as to which edition is better, the 1958 or the 1974?

>>>
According to the OED in English usage bayberry is the fruit of the bay-tree 
or laurel.  In U.S. usage, it is the fruit of the wax myrtle (Myrica 
cerifera).  The error here is trying to provide a common identifier (having 
different meanings in different locations) without reference to the defining 
scientific nomenclature.
<<<

Yes, I can see the possibility for much confusion here.  I have to admit that I read "bay berry" and automatically translated it in my brain to "the berries of the bay laurel plant", without even a thought for the other kind!

Arwen