*Ask Jen

Reader B. writes, "Why do we use the phrase salad days to talk about being younger?"

It's an analogy to salad greens--when you are young you are said to be inexperienced and green. Shakespeare used this in Antony and Cleopatra when Cleopatra says, "My salad days, when I was green in judgment; cold in blood."

Reader Steve wants to know, "Was the Twinkie filling ever banana flavored?"

Originally, yes. During WWII America had a banana shortage and the flavoring was changed to vanilla.

Do you have a question for me? You can e-mail it. If I know the answer, I'll answer it. If I don't, I might make something up.

Posted by Jennifer at December 11, 2003 07:51 AM

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