Why are gooseberries called gooseberries?

Answer 1

The origin of the English word 'gooseberry' [Ribes uva-crispa] has topological origin. The generic is the simple joining of the words 'goose' and 'berry'and the shape of fruit globose varying in color with a dry petals at the apex that look like goose head .There's no consensus as to why the two words are joined. But one believable explanation emerges from the history of foods in the United Kingdom as a common berry used by commoners to make juice and syrup for jams or jellies easily digested. Gooseberries have been used in a green sauce of butter, sorrel juice, and sugar for boiled leg of lamb, goose, and mackerel at least since the time of the reign [March 8, 1702-August 1, 1714] of Queen Anne [February 6, 1665-August 1, 1714].

Some opine that the word came into English by way of the Dutch, French or German languages. Those who opt for a Dutch origin trace the English word back to 'Kruisbezie'. Those who opt for a French origin backtrack to 'groseille'. And those who opt for a German origin track back to 'Krausbeere'. Of the possible sources, a French origin has the persuasive link back to the Latin grossularia.

And the gooseberry is a relative of currants. It's even possible to form the hybrid Jostaberry [Ribes x culverwelli, R. nidigularia, R. x nidigularia, R. nigrum x uva-crispa] from gooseberry and blackcurrant [Ribes nigrum].

Answer 2

The exact reason is not known but many expect that it is a corruption of the old german, french or dutch names for the plant. However, it is also likely that it was just named "gooseberry" and not actually a corruption of another word. Many plants have been named after animals for no apparent reason such as fox grapes and buffaloberries.

according to wikipedia

The first part of the word has been usually treated as an etymological corruption either of the Dutch word Kruisbezieor the allied German Krausbeere, or of the earlier forms of the French groseille. Alternatively the word has been connected to the Middle high German krus (curl, crisped), in Latin as grossularia. However, the New English Dictionary takes the obvious derivation from goose and berry as probable; the grounds on which plants and fruits have received names associating them with animals are so often inexplicable, that the inappropriateness in the meaning does not necessarily give good grounds for believing that the word is an etymological corruption.

Answer 3

The third person in a group where the other two members are a couple is referred to as "playing gooseberry" which means that they are spoiling any opportunity for intimacy.

Answer 4

They are named after Rudolph Boysen (died 1950), American botanist.

Answer 5

because it is blue and it is a berry