dick (12/06/82)
The term "spud" for potato comes from the acronym of an English group "Society for the Prevention of Unwholesome Diet", organized by wheat growers in the 17th century who feared competion from this nasty Spanish import. Dick Mack {ittvax or decvax or harpo!bunker!dick}
rhm (12/07/82)
A reference to the acronymic derivation of "spud" would be appreciated. All of my dictionaries either give some other derivation or claim the derivation as "obscure". American Heritage the former; OED the latter.
dick (12/07/82)
The reference for the acronymic derivation of the term "spud" comes from the Oct. '82 issue of "Down East: the magazine of Maine" Vol. XXIX, No. 3, pub. by Down East Enterprises, Inc., Roxmont Rt 1, Rockport, Maine. Mail addr. P.O.Box 679, Camden, Maine. The article is called "Down East Cookery: Consider the Potato" by Tracy Lord. The author lists no further references.