LADY’S FINGERS
Lady's fingers is another name for okra. This name only dates back to the early 20th century, and originally applied to a small variety of okra.
The kidney vetch, with small thin flowers said to resemble a small hand, originally held claim to the name 'lady's fingers' (17th century), but in the late 19th century the name was also applied to varieties of potatoes, apples, bananas and grapes. Most have gone by the wayside, but the 'lady's fingers' name is still associated with okra, and of course, ladyfingers as applied to a small finger shaped sponge cake.
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