GOOSEBERRY Meaning and
Definition
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A gooseberry refers to a small, round, and edible fruit that grows on a deciduous shrub belonging to the Ribes genus, known scientifically as Ribes uva-crispa. This fruit typically measures around 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter and displays a tart and tangy flavor. Gooseberries typically develop in various colors, including green, red, and yellow, and their texture is somewhat grainy.
Apart from their culinary uses, gooseberries also possess several health benefits due to their high nutritional value. They are a rich source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy immune system. These fruits also contain vitamins A and E, as well as various antioxidants that help combat free radicals and protect against oxidative stress.
The term "gooseberry" is sometimes used to describe an individual who acts as an unintentional chaperone or a third person who interferes in a romantic context. This usage originates from the English phrase "to play gooseberry," which means to be an unwelcome and unnecessary presence in a potentially intimate or private moment between two people.
Furthermore, "gooseberry" is also employed as an idiom in a couple of phrases. In literary contexts, "gooseberry bush" is an expression used to refer to a source of concealment or a secret. Another idiom is "sour as a gooseberry," which describes something or someone with a bitter or unpleasant demeanor.
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The well-known fruit of a prickly shrub.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for GOOSEBERRY *
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Other Common Misspellings for GOOSEBERRY
Etymology of GOOSEBERRY
The word "gooseberry" has a long etymological history. It can be traced back to the Old English word "gōsberie" which meant "goose berry". This term was a compound of "gōs" meaning "goose" and "berie" meaning "berry". The association with geese might have arisen due to the fact that wild geese were often found near bushes bearing these berries. Over time, the word evolved through different variations in spelling and pronunciation, eventually settling on its current form, "gooseberry". The fruit itself is believed to have been named after geese because their presence near the bushes where the berries grow would deter other animals from eating them.
Idioms with the word GOOSEBERRY
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feel like a gooseberry, at play gooseberry
The idiom "feel like a gooseberry" or "play gooseberry" is used to describe the feeling of being awkwardly present when two other people, often a couple, are spending time together and you do not have an active role or purpose in the situation. It implies a sense of being unwanted or feeling like a third wheel in a social setting.
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play gooseberry
The idiom "play gooseberry" refers to the situation when a person accompanies or joins a couple on a date or romantic outing, making it an awkward third wheel. The phrase originates from the practice of eating gooseberries as a fruit associated with romance and love, so the person who accompanies the couple is like an unwanted or unnecessary companion who spoils the intimate atmosphere.
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be (as) green as a gooseberry
The idiom "be (as) green as a gooseberry" means to be naive, inexperienced, or lacking in maturity or knowledge. Just like a green, unripe gooseberry, a person described as "green" is seen as youthful, naive, and not yet fully developed.
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green as a gooseberry
The idiom "green as a gooseberry" means someone who is inexperienced, naive, or lacking in worldly knowledge. It refers to the fruit gooseberry, which is small, round, and green when unripe.
Similar spelling word for GOOSEBERRY
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