Attic writers call a raphanis what we ourselves call a rephanos; moreover [they call] a raphanos what we ourselves [call a] krambe ["cabbage"]. It is called a radish because of the fact that it appears easily;[1] for the story [is that] once sown they grow quickly.[2] Also [sc. attested is the phrase] "to have been radished and to have one's hair singed off with ash", in Aristophanes. In reference to those behaving shamefully. For that is how they used to abuse men caught in seduction: they took radishes and stuffed them up their asses, and plucking them they sprinkled hot ashes on them, devising suitable torments.[3] And elsewhere: "a diner could not take from his elders a head of radish or dill or celery or snack on it, nor eat a thrush, nor hold his feet crossed".[4] The head of the radish is the top and stem to the leaves. They did not cut a radish lengthwise as now, but in a circle. kixli/zein can mean to eat a thrush[5] or to laugh disruptively.