jew's-ear
Very LowTechnical/Botanical; sometimes Archaic/Folk
Definition
Meaning
An edible, gelatinous fungus that grows on wood, especially elder trees, noted for its ear-like shape and reddish-brown colour.
The fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), historically associated with Judas Iscariot due to folk etymology linking it to the elder tree he supposedly hanged himself on. Used in cooking, particularly in East Asian cuisine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The name is considered dated and potentially offensive. Modern scientific and common names are 'Jelly Ear' or 'Wood Ear' fungus. The traditional name is a folk-etymological corruption of 'Judas's ear'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic and problematic in both varieties. British sources may retain the traditional name in historical or folk contexts slightly more often, while American usage tends to avoid it more strictly.
Connotations
The term carries strong historical/folkloric connotations and is now widely considered ethnically insensitive. It is primarily encountered in historical texts or older field guides.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both regions, replaced by 'Jelly Ear', 'Wood Ear', or the scientific name.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The] jew's-ear [grows] on [elder][To forage for] jew's-earVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, folkloric, or taxonomic discussions with appropriate context and caveats.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation. If discussing the fungus, modern names are used.
Technical
The scientific name Auricularia auricula-judae is standard. 'Jelly Ear' is the preferred common name in mycology/foraging guides.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This fungus is called a Jelly Ear. (Note: A2 example uses modern term)
- In the old book, they mentioned finding 'jew's-ear' on a fallen branch.
- The forager noted that the gelatinous Jew's-ear fungus, now more properly called Wood Ear, was once commonly used in soups.
- The antiquated common name 'jew's-ear', a corruption of 'Judas's ear', reflects the folk belief linking the fungus to the tree on which Judas Iscariot hanged himself.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an old tale where JUDAS hung on an ELDER tree, and the fungus that grew there looked like an EAR. The name got shortened and changed over time.
Conceptual Metaphor
BODY PART FOR OBJECT (The fungus is metaphorically an 'ear' due to its shape).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'еврейское ухо'. This is incorrect and highly offensive. The correct Russian term is 'иудино ухо' (Judas's ear) or 'древесный гриб'.
Common Mistakes
- Using the term in modern contexts without historical justification.
- Assuming it is a contemporary, acceptable term.
- Misspelling as 'Jew's ears', 'Jews-ear', etc.
Practice
Quiz
Why is the common name 'jew's-ear' considered problematic today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered outdated and potentially offensive. The recommended terms are 'Jelly Ear fungus', 'Wood Ear fungus', or the scientific name Auricularia auricula-judae.
It originates from 'Judas's ear', based on the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an elder tree, and the ear-shaped fungus commonly grows on elder.
Yes, Auricularia auricula-judae (Jelly Ear) is edible and is used in various cuisines, particularly in East Asia, often in dried form.
You might find it in historical texts, very old foraging guides, or folkloric studies. Modern field guides and culinary texts use the updated names.