rhubarb

[ roo-bahrb ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Rheum, of the buckwheat family, as R. officinale, having a medicinal rhizome, and R. rhabarbarum, having edible leafstalks.
2. the rhizome of any medicinal species of this plant, forming a combined cathartic and astringent.
3. the edible, fleshy leafstalks of R. rhabarbarum, used in making pies, preserves, etc.
4. Slang. a quarrel or squabble.

rhubarb

/ ˈruːbɑːb /

noun

1. any of several temperate and subtropical plants of the polygonaceous genus Rheum , esp R. rhaponticum ( common garden rhubarb ), which has long green and red acid-tasting edible leafstalks, usually eaten sweetened and cooked
2. the leafstalks of this plant
3. a related plant, Rheum officinale , of central Asia, having a bitter-tasting underground stem that can be dried and used medicinally as a laxative or astringent
4. slang.
   a heated discussion or quarrel
5. the noise made by actors to simulate conversation, esp by repeating the word rhubarb at random

verb

1. to simulate conversation, esp by repeating the word rhubarb at random

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhubarb¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rubarb, reubarb, from Old French r(e)ubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, from Greek rhéon bárbaron “foreign rhubarb”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhubarb¹

C14: from Old French reubarbe , from Medieval Latin reubarbum , probably a variant of rha barbarum barbarian rhubarb, from rha rhubarb (from Greek, perhaps from Rha ancient name of the Volga) + Latin barbarus barbarian

Example Sentences

And a few years ago, we started a ritual of making strawberry rhubarb pie with our boys.

From Salon

Put another way: Song or no song, every spring across Germany, rhubarb goes completely viral.

From New York Times

The entire background is bathed in scarlet, which quickly drew comparisons to hellfire and "Satanic servitude," and "rhubarb pie filling," amongst others.

From Salon

On X, comparisons ranged anywhere from "hell" to "rhubarb pie filling," but few were kind.

From Salon

Frannie, my maternal-grandmother and true Southern belle that she was, made rhubarb famous in my family, not only because of how much she loved Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie but because of the way she said it.

From Salon

More About Rhubarb

What is rhubarb?

Rhubarb is a plant with edible leafstalks that are known for their use in making pies and preserves.

This kind of rhubarb has a tart, tangy, sour flavor that’s often paired with sweet ingredients, such as in strawberry rhubarb pie.

Rhubarb is also used as a slang term to refer to a fight or argument. This slang term is especially associated with baseball, as in The manager came out to argue the umpire’s call and it wasn’t long before it turned into a rhubarb with pointing and shouting. 

In the context of theater, the word rhubarb is used as a term for the noise made by actors to simulate conversation. For whatever reason, this is sometimes done by randomly repeating the word rhubarb. Rhubarb can also be used as a verb meaning to simulate conversation in this way.

Example: Rhubarb has a very short growing season, so I like to use it in as many recipes as I can when it’s available.

Where does rhubarb come from?

The first records of the word rhubarb come from around 1400. It ultimately comes from the Greek rhéon bárbaron, meaning “foreign rhubarb.” Because rhubarb is native to Asia, it may have been considered foreign to the ancient Greeks. The words barbarian, barbaric, and barbarous come from related roots based on the idea of foreignness.

As a plant, rhubarb is a member of the buckwheat family and the genus Rheum. There are several varieties. The kind that’s used to make pies has edible stalks. Another variety has a stem that is used for medicinal purposes. The leaves and roots of the rhubarb plant are poisonous and should not be eaten.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for rhubarb?

• pieplant
• quarrel
• squabble

What are some words that share a root or word element with rhubarb? 

• barbarian
• barbaric
• barbarous

What are some words that often get used in discussing rhubarb?

 

• pie
• strawberry
• tart
• sour
• tangy
• stalk
• plant
• jam
• jelly
• preserves

How is rhubarb used in real life?

Rhubarb is probably best known as an ingredient in rhubarb pie and strawberry rhubarb pie.

You can only have five desserts for the rest of your life.

Mine are:

Cinnamon Buns
Vanilla Ice Cream
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Black & White Cookies

— Dave Quinn (@NineDaves) October 30, 2020

Apple, cherry, pecan, peach, rhubarb, these are the acceptable pies

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) November 18, 2014

Replay has robbed the fan of the good old fashioned rhubarb between manager and ump.There hasn't been one good scuff this playoff season

— Frank Humber (@Leftymoves) October 20, 2016

 

 

Try using rhubarb!

True or False?

The edible stalks of rhubarb have a sweet flavor.