ladies' fingers
C1Informal, Culinary
Definition
Meaning
A common name for okra, a green edible seed pod vegetable.
A colloquial British term for small, finger-shaped sponge cakes; also an architectural term for slender, decorative pillars.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the vegetable (okra). Other uses are niche (baking, architecture) and often clarified by context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the US, 'okra' is overwhelmingly common; 'ladies' fingers' is rare and may be considered quaint or archaic. In the UK, 'ladies' fingers' is a common alternative name for okra.
Connotations
UK: A standard, slightly genteel term for the vegetable. US: May sound old-fashioned or specifically British.
Frequency
High frequency in UK culinary contexts; low frequency in US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] ladies' fingers (e.g., fry, slice, buy)ladies' fingers [verb] (e.g., ladies' fingers thicken the stew)ladies' fingers with [noun] (e.g., with garlic)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in specific import/export or fresh produce contexts.
Academic
Rare; 'okra' is the standard botanical/culinary science term.
Everyday
Common in UK domestic and market settings when discussing cooking.
Technical
Not used; the species name 'Abelmoschus esculentus' or 'okra' is standard.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- She made a lovely ladies'-finger bhaji.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't like ladies' fingers. They are slimy.
- Could you buy some ladies' fingers from the market for the curry?
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine elegant ladies with long, green fingers picking these slender pods from a plant.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLENDER OBJECTS ARE FINGERS (of a lady, implying delicacy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'дамские пальчики', which refers to a specific type of pastry/biscuit, not the vegetable. For the vegetable, use 'окра' or 'бамия'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect apostrophe: 'lady's fingers' or 'ladies fingers'. Correct: 'ladies' fingers'.
- Using it in US contexts where it may cause confusion.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'ladies' fingers' the MOST common term for the vegetable okra?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, primarily. In the UK and many Commonwealth countries, it is a standard common name for okra.
Because it is a plural possessive. The fingers belong to the ladies (metaphorically). The singular form 'lady's fingers' is occasionally seen but is less standard.
Yes, but context is key. It can refer to small finger-shaped sponge cakes (UK) or, rarely, to slender architectural features. The vegetable meaning is dominant.
In international or scientific contexts, use 'okra'. In the UK or when speaking with people who use the term, 'ladies' fingers' is perfectly acceptable. In the US, 'okra' is safer to avoid confusion.