Mangoes

/ˈmæŋɡoʊz/ noun

Definition

Tropical fruits with smooth skin, a large flat pit in the center, and sweet orange flesh, often called the 'king of fruits.'

Etymology

From Portuguese mango, borrowed from Malayalam maanga during colonial trade. The word traveled along sea routes used by merchants in the 1600s as the fruit became known in Europe. The plural can be either mangoes or mangos.

Kelly Says

The mango traveled the world through the mouths of traders and explorers — it's been cultivated in India for over 4,000 years, but most of the world only discovered it through Portuguese traders, which is why our word for it comes from their language, not the fruit's original homeland.

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