Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
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Chris -- 2011-03-08
Medical professionals occasionally produce lists of mistaken word usage by patients. Though occasional wonderfully creative, these purportedly genuine quotations are more often farfetched, and a search on google rarely provides any backup evidence. An example that has been cited in the medical and lexicographical literature back into the 19th century is “haricot veins” for varicose veins. I couldn’t find any credible hits for this one. It appears in the literature as an example of uneducated speech:
beyond a haricot vein in one of my legs I’m as young as I ever was.
The Way of All Flesh, Samuel Butler, before 1884
Unaccountably, though, I did find a few hits that go the other way: thinking that green beans might be called haricot veins. Because they look like varicose veins? What a horrifying image! Some connection to the veiny string in string beans? Check out the last example below and be amazed.
We’re sorry, we did not find any article results for: haricot veins
Evidence of a search for veins on gourmet cooking site
To add a bit of texture to the fish, I blanched some Haricot Veins and carefully arrange them as the bed for the fish.
Photo caption: Pan Fried Forellen with Baby Onion and Caper Sauce, Served with Haricot Veins.
I blanced the Haricot Veins (the vege that looked like beans) with some butter and drizzle over the teriyaki sauce.
Recipe site
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