The true origin of the lemon is apparently shrouded in mystery; in the 1st century B.C., a Near Eastern priest was subjected to a great flinging of citrus, and there is controversy over whether the fruits in question were lemons or citrons. For many centuries (apparently), lemon trees were mostly grown as ornamental fixtures.
In the 18th century, James Lind discovered that lemon juice helped fight scurvy in sailors (Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, and more acidity makes for more sour taste). At some point in this timeline, bath salts come into the equation, and then the popularization of lemonade. In short, though, lemons are sour because that's the way people want them to be.
Micah, are you sure that Draconis (yesterday's post) is nominative case? If it is genitive, then the English equivalent of Ego Draconis could be something more like I am Dragonish (i.e. having dragon characteristics). But it all depends on what Latin declension Draco/Draconis is from, which I will leave it to you to research if you wish.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right: draco is 3rd declension, so draconis has to be genitive.
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