mangels
["mangel-wurzel" is] originally German. The first part is the old word Mangold, meaning beet or chard (the latter being the green leaves from a variety of beet). The second part is Wurzel, a root. Germans became confused about the first part several centuries ago and thought it was instead Mangel, a shortage or lack. From this has grown up the popular belief that mangel-wurzel refers to a famine food, a root you eat only when you’re starving. This is a gross calumny, since when young it’s as tasty and sweet as other sorts of beet, though it’s mainly used as animal fodder.
from the world wide words newsletter (jan 6, 2007, thanks ben). the farm I was at this summer grew mangles for the pigs, but I was never sure I was hearing Elona right. (eventually confirmed the name, later in the summer).
