On Tue, 14 Jul 1998, Lena Rotenberg wrote:
> >rhu-barb n.
> >1. Any of several plants of the genus Rheum, especially R. rhubarbarum,
> >having long, green or reddish acidic leafstalks that are edible when
> >sweetened and cooked. Also called pie plant.
> >2. The dried, bitter-tasting rhizome and roots of Rheum palmatum or R.
> >officinale of eastern Asia, used as a laxative.
> >3. Informal. A quarrel, fight, or heated discussion.
>
> Therefore, rhubarb: a rheumy, dried, bitter-tasting, acidic quarrel,
> fight, or heated discussion, used as a laxative....
>
> Describes CoV perfectly. No contest.
>
> I repeat, the damn thing is non-edible, but my esteemed colleague from the
> North is known to have strange tastes....
>
> ;-)
>
> lena
> --
> Lena Rotenberg
> lrr@netkonnect.net
>