Why are Prunes Called Prunes and not Raisins?
Prunes and raisins are two different types of dried fruits, both made from different varieties of grapes. Prunes are made from dried plums, while raisins are made from dried grapes.
The term “prune” comes from the Old French word “prune”, which means “plum”. The word “prune” was first used in English in the late 14th century to describe a dried plum. Over time, the term “prune” became associated specifically with dried plums, and the word “plum” came to refer only to fresh fruit.
On the other hand, the word “raisin” comes from the Latin word “racemus”, which means “a cluster of grapes”. This word was used in Old French to describe dried grapes, which were often sold in clusters.
So, prunes are called prunes and not raisins because they are made from dried plums, not grapes.