Brussels sprouts have become a staple vegetable side dish, especially around the holidays. With their small, compact heads of tightly bound leaves, they make for an attractive presentation when braised or roasted with herbs, spices, nuts, or bacon. However, brussels sprouts are also one of those divisive vegetables that people tend to either love or hate. The strong, bitter taste can be off-putting to some. This has led to brussels sprouts taking on some negative slang meanings in addition to just referring to the vegetable itself.
What Are Brussels Sprouts?
Brussels sprouts are a cultivar of the same plant species, Brassica oleracea, that includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale. They are considered a cruciferous vegetable along with their fellow Brassica relatives.
The edible part of brussels sprouts grows as multiple small, compact heads along a central stem. They grow as a cool weather crop and thrive in frosty conditions. The first historical mention of brussels sprouts traces back to 1587 in Belgium, near the city of Brussels after which they are named.
Brussels Sprout Nutrition
Despite their controversial taste, brussels sprouts are quite nutritious:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Folate | 12% | 54 mcg |
| Fiber | 12% | 2 g |
| Manganese | 9% | 0.2 mg |
| Vitamin C | 141% | 85 mg |
| Vitamin K | 137% | 180 mcg |
| Vitamin B6 | 9% | 0.2 mg |
They are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, manganese, and fiber. Brussels sprouts also contain glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that are thought to be protective against cancer. Overall, they provide significant nutrient density for a low amount of calories.
Negative Slang Meanings
Despite their health benefits, brussels sprouts have gained some negative slang connotations over time. Here are some of the key ways brussels sprouts are used in negative slang terms:
Annoying or Disliked Person
One of the most common slang usages is calling someone you dislike or find annoying a “brussels sprout.” This compares the person to a vegetable that many find unappealing or hard to digest. It’s on par with calling someone a “turnip” or other unpopular vegetable that could be viewed as an insult.
Unattractive Hairstyle
The small, compact sprout heads clustered together at the top of the plant lend themselves to comparisons with unattractive hairstyles. Calling someone’s hair or haircut “brussels sprouts” refers to it being unstylishly short and stubby. It also references hair that sprouts in tufts in an irregular way.
Farting
The high fiber and complex carbohydrate content of brussels sprouts can lead some people to experience gas and bloating after eating them. Saying “brussel sprouting” refers to farting as a result of eating them. Their association with gas has led brussels sprouts to have an unflattering connotation in this bodily function slang.
Vulgar Term for Toilet Paper Stuck to Shoe
One very specific slang use of “brussels sprout” refers to getting toilet paper stuck to the bottom of one’s shoe when leaving a public bathroom stall. The connection relates to the small, unwanted piece of tissue randomly being attached in an unpleasant way, similar to a brussels sprout stuck on its stalk.
Reasons for Negative Associations
So where does the negativity around brussels sprouts come from? Here are some of the reasons this vegetable has gained such unflattering slang uses:
Bitter, Strong Taste
Brussels sprouts have a bitter, almost sulfurous taste that can be very off-putting, especially if they are not cooked properly. It’s a flavor many find overwhelming. Even when roasted or otherwise prepared well, they retain a strong, robust character that children and picky eaters often reject.
Texture
In addition to their polarizing taste, brussels sprouts also have a texture that many find unappealing. They can become unpleasantly soft and mushy if overcooked. And even when al dente, their dense, compact nature can come across as odd in the mouth for those not accustomed to them.
Smell When Cooking
The odor released when cooking brussels sprouts is extremely potent. Whether boiling, steaming, or roasting them, they give off a smell so strong that even sprout fans find it offensive at times. The lingering odor can seem to permeate the whole house.
Childhood Association
Many children first encounter brussels sprouts on their dinner plate as a side vegetable. They naturally reject such a strong-tasting food, forming early negative associations. These early experiences inform slang terms in the future.
Farting Effect
As mentioned, brussels sprouts commonly cause gas and bloating due to their complex carbohydrates. The correlation with flatulence makes people self-conscious about eating them in social settings and contributes to uncomplimentary slang.
Positive Associations
Despite having garnered a range of negative slang uses, brussels sprouts also have some positive cultural associations:
Holiday Side Dish
Brussels sprouts are a beloved holiday side dish, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables. When roasted with complementary ingredients like garlic, balsamic vinegar, bacon, onions, nuts and herbs, they become sweet, caramelized and complex in flavor.
Vegetable Renaissance
In recent years, brussels sprouts have been undergoing a resurgence in popularity as people learn to prepare them in new ways that highlight their flavor in a more balanced manner. New breeding has focused on decreasing bitterness as well. The vegetable renaissance has helped cast brussels sprouts in a more positive cultural light.
Fried Brussels Sprouts
Deep frying or pan frying brussels sprouts in oil has become a popular preparation technique. Frying helps balance the bitterness and enhances the sweet, nutty dimension of their flavor. Fried brussels sprouts appetizers are now featured on many restaurant menus.
Raw Sprouts
Eating brussels sprouts raw in salads and slaws also helps sweeten their flavor. Thinly sliced raw sprouts have become more common as people discover they are less bitter uncooked.
Health Halo Effect
The many nutritional benefits of brussels sprouts further compel people to keep trying to like them. Their health halo gives them staying power as more recipes and preparation methods emerge to make them tasty.
Conclusion
In slang terms, brussels sprouts are associated with unpleasantness and bitterness. Calling someone a “brussels sprout” equates them with a widely disliked vegetable. However, brussels sprouts have also been making a comeback in recent years as people learn to cook them in new ways that enhance their better qualities. Their nutrition and holiday traditions help give brussels sprouts staying power on dinner plates, despite having garnered unflattering slang uses. With improved growing techniques and recipes, the tide may be turning for the humble brussels sprout.