In India I learned most of the local language at the School of Hard Knocks, otherwise known as the vegetable market. Elbowing my way through the horde of pickers, it was:
"I'll take that one, what do you call it?"
Brinjal.
"Ach-cha, I'll take chaari."*
What do they call them in your country?
"Aubergine. Or sometimes eggplant."
Egg. Plant?
The vegetable in question is native to southern India, where it was originally known as vatinganah (in Sanskrit). Legend holds that this word, broken up, literally means "fart, go away!" But this ain't true.
