What is "rhubarb"

Rhubarb \Rhu"barb\, n. [F. rhubarbe, OF. rubarbe, rheubarbe, reubarbare, reobarbe, LL. rheubarbarum for rheum barbarum, Gr. ??? (and ??) rhubarb, from the river Rha (the Volga) on whose banks it grew. Originally, therefore, it was the barbarian plant from the Rha. Cf. Barbarous, Rhaponticine.]

1. (Bot.) The name of several large perennial herbs of the genus Rheum and order Polygonace[ae].

2. The large and fleshy leafstalks of Rheum Rhaponticum and other species of the same genus. They are pleasantly acid, and are used in cookery. Called also pieplant.

3. (Med.) The root of several species of Rheum, used much as a cathartic medicine.

   Monk's rhubarb. (Bot.) See under Monk.

   Turkey rhubarb (Med.), the roots of Rheum Emodi.

late 14c., from Old French rubarbe, from Medieval Latin rheubarbarum, from Greek rha barbaron "foreign rhubarb," from rha "rhubarb," perhaps ultimately from a source akin to Persian rewend "rhubarb" (associated in Greek with Rha, ancient Scythian name of the River Volga) + barbaron, neuter of barbaros "foreign" (see barbarian). Grown in China and Tibet, it was imported into ancient Europe by way of Russia.\n

\nSpelling altered in Medieval Latin by association with rheum. European native species so called from 1640s. Baseball slang meaning "loud squabble on the field" is from 1938, of unknown origin, said to have been first used by broadcaster Garry Schumacher. Perhaps connected with use of rhubarb as a word repeated by stage actors to give the impression of hubbub or conversation (attested from 1934).

n. 1 Any plant of the genus ''Rheum'', especially (taxlink Rheum rharbarbarum species noshow=1), having large leaf and long green or reddish acidic leafstalks, that are edible, in particular when cooked (although the leaves are mildly poisonous). 2 The dried rhizome and roots of (taxlink Rheum palmatum species noshow=1) or (taxlink Rheum officinale species noshow=1), from China, used as a laxative and purgative.

1. n. long pinkish sour leafstalks usually eaten cooked and sweetened [syn: pieplant]

2. plants having long green or reddish acidic leafstalks growing in basal clumps; stems (and only the stems) are edible when cooked; leaves are poisonous [syn: rhubarb plant]

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a species of plant in the family Polygonaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial growing from short, thick rhizomes. It produces large poisonous leaves that are somewhat triangular, with long fleshy edible stalks and small flowers grouped in large compound leafy greenish-white to rose-red inflorescences.

In culinary use, fresh raw leaf stalks ( petioles) are crisp (similar to celery) with a strong, tart taste. Although rhubarb is not a true fruit, in the kitchen it is usually prepared as if it were. Most commonly, the stalks are cooked with sugar and used in pies, crumbles and other desserts. A number of varieties have been domesticated for human consumption, most of which are recognised as Rheum x hybridum by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Rhubarb contains anthraquinones including rhein, and emodin and their glycosides (e.g. glucorhein), which impart cathartic and laxative properties. It is hence useful as a cathartic in case of constipation.

Rhubarb was a 1969 British short film written and directed by Eric Sykes, starring Sykes and Harry Secombe. The dialogue consisted entirely of repetitions of the word " rhubarb", all the characters last names were "Rhubarb", and even the licence plates on vehicles were "RHU BAR B". A baby "spoke" by holding a sign with the word "Rhubarb" written on it.

Rhubarb is a radio idiom for unintelligible background speech. Typically extras would mutter the word over and over to provide ambience for a crowd or party scene. In The Goon Show the cast was usually only the three principals, who would pretend to try to sound like a larger group by repeating "rhubarb" very quickly but clearly, with outbreaks of " Custard!" for good measure. Sykes was a close collaborator and friend of the Goons. He remade the piece in 1980 for Thames Television, as Rhubarb Rhubarb.

Rhubarb were an Australian rock band, best known for their song "Exerciser", released in 1999. They disbanded in 2006.

Rhubarb is a 1951 film adapted from the 1946 novel Rhubarb by humorist H. Allen Smith. Directed by Arthur Lubin, the screwball noir comedy stars the cat Orangey along with Jan Sterling and Ray Milland. Cinematography was by Lionel Lindon.

Fourteen different cats portrayed Rhubarb at different points in the film. Each cat was trained to do a different trick. Three of the most identical cats appeared in the courtroom scene where Polly Sickles has to choose which one is the real Rhubarb.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is an herbaceous perennial plant cultivated as a vegetable

Rhubarb may also refer to:

• Rhubarb (band), Australian rock band
• Rhubarb (1951 film), a US baseball comedy
• Rhubarb (1969 film), a British short film
  • Rhubarb Rhubarb, a 1980 remake of the 1969 film
• "Rhubarb", a song by Aphex Twin on the album Selected Ambient Works Volume II
• Rhubarb Jones, American disc jockey
• A dispute or fight, especially in sports
• An RAF World War II code name for operations by aircraft seeking opportunity targets