Post #3578231

2026-06-28 10:17 UTC

@colinpurrington@flipping.rocks This is maize plant one of the crops that we normally grow this side . But I have been wondering whether there is a difference between maize and corn do you know that?

Replies (1)

@colinpurrington@flipping.rocks 2026-06-28 10:27

@Joshuakevins12@mastodon.social In the United States people tend to use "corn" and "maize" interchangeably to refer to the species Zea mays. But I gather some people prefer to use "maize" for the plant and "corn" for the fruit. And still others reserve "maize" for industrial, non-food crops bound for ethanol and bioplastics. Anyway, Americans' use of "corn" has clearly evolved away from the time when it meant any kind of grain, but that more general meaning is still preferred by many (most?) countries, I think. E.g., Vollkornbrot (in Germany) is whole-grain bread, not cornbread. Any linguists able to add to this or correct me?

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