Most individuals use the word vanilla within their everyday lives, as it exists as a fairly commonplace word. However, not many people know what the word vanilla may mean alternatively, or it’s history; well, at least we can guarantee vanilla is America’s favorite ice cream flavor. Whether an individual desires a particular flavored ice cream, knowledge of subatomic physics, or an adjective for something plain, the word “vanilla” exerts clear potency. The most intriguing aspect of this word lies within its etymological history.

As many people know, the English language consists of many different loan words. As it happens to be, the word vanilla is one of them and has been molded overtime. Vanilla originates from the Latin word “vagina” meaning sheath. However, other languages contributed to its spelling and pronunciation transitioning toward Modern English. For instance, the Spanish word “vainilla” and the French word “vanille” led to an orthographic change to what is now, in Modern English, vanilla. It was not until the mid 17th century that it became “vanilla”. Something else mentionable is that the original root word, “vagina” is exactly the same for the word “vagina” for Modern English, relating to the female genitalia of mammals. Overall while the word “vanilla” is used to describe the flavor of foods, it is also used to describe the “flavor” of neutrinos.

Although, it is somewhat ironic that neutrinos have “flavors” seeing as how they are so tiny and nonreactive they are practically nonexistent (in terms of mass) subatomic particles. An individual could not see one, much less taste one. Put simply, scientists describe different types of neutrinos existing in three “flavors,”,strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla, mysteriously morphing between flavors for reasons unknown. Meanwhile, other scientists, in an attempt to get a scoop of the action, have contested that there exists only one true flavor: vanilla. Though some may consider the idea of neutrinos distasteful for being too scientifically complex for their palates.

To be fair, however, the universe would be quite “plain vanilla” or standard, at least, according to Oxford Dictionaries. Vanilla can also be used to describe the plant it is derived from, as well as a scent, color, or fragrance. Alternatively, it may be used to insult someone depending how it is used in a sentence. Moreover, we cannot forget one of the “greatest” musicians of all time, Vanilla Ice, with his hit “Ice Ice Baby.” The word vanilla may be utilized clearly in many different ways.

So, imagine what your friends would say if you told them that they were eating a vagina flavored soft serve, trying to enjoy their vanilla ice cream. Or, imagine explaining what a vanilla flavored neutrino is. Either one would probably render a feeling of utter repugnance (well, unless you’re a physicist). Nevertheless, the word vanilla is used within various contexts when describing ice cream, people, or particle physics for that matter.