The Vegetable That Terrorized Romans And Helped Industrialize England

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In Roman times, the turnip was the weapon of choice to hurl at unpopular public figures. In the 15th century, 'turnip eater' was the common term for a country bumpkin, and in Charles Dickens's novels, if you called someone a 'turnip,' you meant that he or she was a perfect idiot.

Turnips, traditionally, have had lousy press. But they have also had their day in the sun.