RFNPR: CANOLA OIL

Posted on | by Ed

(Random Facts of No Particular Relevance are exactly what the name implies. If the reader relies upon one of these facts to win money on a game show I am entitled to 10% off the top. That's pre-tax. On the other hand, you may use these to achieve mastery of bar trivia free of charge.)

"Canola", as in canola oil, is an acronym for "Canadian oil, low acid." The plant from which the oil is produced is called rapeseed. For some strange reason they must have doubted that consumers would want to buy or eat something called "rapeseed."

You're welcome.

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9 thoughts on “RFNPR: CANOLA OIL”

  • Robert says:

    Thanks, Ed! I knew about the 'Canadian' part; did not know about low acid.
    Always thought it was just a mock-Latin ending indicating 'oleum'.

  • jazzbumpa says:

    My wife and I passed a tanker on the highway today that said "Food grade oil" on the tank.

    Our joke has always been that it delivers edible products one way, and hazardous waist on the return trip.

    Cheers!
    JzB

  • Marc says:

    While listening to a report on bio-engineered foods, an interviewee said that the oil was originally used as motor oil for trucks in WWII. Bio-engineering the product allowed human consumption.

  • Prudence says:

    Ah, the wiley Limeys get around that by calling it oilseed rape. Or rapeseed, which doesn't sound much better. But it does turn the fields around my mother's house a stunning, cheery yellow in the summer.

    I think America invented rebranding.

  • chris says:

    Thirty odd years ago in Saskatchewan we used to snicker when we passed the the big sign showing the vast yellow fields and saying: Welcome to Tisdale, Land of Rape and Honey.
    Tisdale is still there and they probably still grow canola and keep bees but I'll bet the sign is long gone. Marktes are tough all over.

  • hackenbush says:

    "I think America invented rebranding."

    I thought Edward Bernays invented rebranding, and he was born in Vienna; does that still count?

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