h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"It was used for harvesting corn and was basically a wooden, wheeled box with sharp points at one end, for ripping the ears off corn."

I thought corn, as such, was a new world crop introduced to Europe only after American colonization. Not so?

I was certainly told they had it! Blame my Ancient History teacher if it's wrong!

Actually, they had it in Ancient Greece too - the Athenians had to import it from the black Sea area, so it was a major factor in their foreign policy as a good supply was essential.

Thanks for reading the entry!

Both points are right, I believe. 'Corn' is used both to refer to wheat and maize (cob-type corn). The corn in the entry refers to wheat, whereas maize was a new world introduction.

Ah, that clears that up. Thanks very much.

Very welcome!