When it comes to tomatoes - I see the hybrids as a vegetable and the heirlooms as a fruit ;-)

Since there is a specific tomato area, I would think you would have more tomato-related commentary there instead of here.

The tomato-is-a-fruit is a well-known minor controversy, the other edibles you mention will surely remain in the vegetable camp. Common names for things become traditional. The word "fruit" originates as "enjoyment of the harvest" and could apply to fruits or vegetables.

FRUITS!

perennialfan275(Zone 5 IL)

Most forum participants are aware of this questionable thought. The general public doesn't visit vegetable forums and think tomatoes are a vegetable. No big deal! You are preaching to the choir and don't tell us how to set the record straight!

Dirtguy this wasn't intended to be an argument. There's nothing to argue about in the first place because anyone who believes otherwise is wrong. It's a scientific fact that tomatoes are fruits!

Um perennialfan... most of us who participate in the garden forums are not ignorant, most of us do know about tomatoes already. A lot of the general public may not, but that's no reason to assume folks participating in the fruits and orchards area is ignorant.
Dirtguy wasn't even arguing with you, he letting you know most of us here have this information already. You were the one who opted to call him ignorant twice for that- that makes it seem like you are being provocative or argumentative for no reason.

And again, there is a specific tomato area, and you would likely get more conversation geared to tomatoes if you started berating the tomato growers on their ignorance in the area specifically for tomatoes.

The above ground parts - excluding leaves or stalks - of any plants we eat are considered fruits botanically - squash, beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, corn, etc. A 'fruit' is the portion of the plant that bears the seeds.....doesn't really make any difference what plant. But the correct botanical terminology is really incidental :-) Who - other than a botanist - cares what the correct terminology is?? Joe Public refers to them as veggies because that is the way they are enjoyed and consumed!

Frankly, I am not sure what the purpose of this post is.......other than to promote dissension.

I would have thought everyone here knew that: .

Tomatoes Have Legally Been Vegetables Since 1893

That's right. 125 years or so. Had something to do with tariffs.

ETA, Wikipedia says 1887.

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If he's not arguing with me how else am I supposed to interpret that first comment? Sounds pretty rude and provocative to me. And what's the point of arguing here in the first place? This isn't even a debate.

Right! There is no argument. Tomatoes are legally a vegetable.

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You are reading something into that comment that is not there. I did not find his comment the slightest bit rude or provocative, however your response to him was!

Actually your entire post is provocative and ill-advised. Why you felt it was necessary to "rant" on this particular topic is a bit mysterious. Who really cares what they are considered botanically??

Yes gardengal this thread is a rant. Why people choose to be offended by facts being stated I will never know. And if that comment isn't rude than what do you call it? It certainly didn't sound very friendly when I first read it.

Tomatoes are like Certz, both a veggie and a fruit, 2 plants in 1

But I'm still right about the hybrids being a veggie and the heirlooms being a fruit. naa naa

You came across as lecturing as well as ranting :-) Why did you feel it was necessary to restate the obvious, like everyone here was some sort of gardening idiot who was unaware of even the most basic biology??

Maybe the comment came across as 'unfriendly' when you read it in the same manner your initial post came across as condescending to us when we read it..........just sayin :-)

I never said anyone was an idiot. And you'd be surprised how many times I hear people call tomatoes vegetables. Even on sites that I've ordered seeds from they're still referred to as vegetables. Honestly this thread was meant to be humorous, but you've blown it way out of proportion.

The original title "I just wanted to remind everyone that tomatoes are FRUITS!" would be an agonizing truth in the long dark narrow halls of academia but it certainly is not true out in the world of vegetable growers and consumers.

Why does it surprise you to hear tomatoes referred to as vegetables?? Outside of the classroom or a botany textbook, 99% of the population refers to them as such and that has been the accepted practice for years.....witness Albert's report re: the legalities of the terminology (now that was humorous!!). As it has been with all those other fruits we consider or eat as 'vegetables'. It is much the same concept as using common names for plants.........it is a completely acceptable (and accepted) colloquial usage.

The Rotten Tomatoes website refers to both vegetables and fruits, so no help there.

perennialfan275 is exibiting troll behavior and you are all walking into it like lemmings. Logic, facts, and reason are not going to move the needle here folks.

You just told me it's "basic biology" that they're fruits, and now you're saying 99% of people call them vegetables. If 99% of people are calling them the wrong thing then it's clearly not "basic biology".

Joe Blow, I think you are on point. Did you notice the OP modified his/her comment? I don't think anyone walked into it, as sometimes you think you are in a discussion and then realize, like you said, the needle isn't going to move. Carry on! LOL

Post modified or not, I took it as to be humorous ... "Tomatoes are fruits and that's that!" LOL! The comical part is I just knew how all this would play out. Anyways how about this, I think of tomatoes as vegetables when I use the "fruit" green, as in fried green tomatoes. But, when it's nice and red and sweeet, it's a fruit :) ...

>>But I'm going to set the record straight right now...they are not!<<

You didn't set the record straight in my books lol.

I think most people here knew that all along...I'm still going to veggie forum if I want to talk about tomatoes lol.

Dirtguy I apologize for what I said the other day. And I apologize to anyone else I've offended. This was meant to be a joke and nothing more. I hope we can all just forget about this.

It's all good brother/sister. I can bet I have done much worse in some of these posts and appreciate and accept you apology. I question you response that it was meant to be a joke. I an not buying that! One thing, please don't go back and change the statements you posted. I am fine with the original comments but editing the comments takes away from the overall discussion. That being said, I really appreciate your, I believe a sincere, apology. Thank you.

I'm going to set the record straight right now ... guy/gal owns it and apologizes ... good enough for me. Carry on ! (I may edit this later, hehe)