Loewenzahn
Advertisement
"Lion's mane" would seem like a more appropriate name for a dandelion than "lion's tooth" (Loewenzahn). However, the connection to the king of the jungle refers not to the flower but to its leaves -- the part that your pet rabbit eats (not pictured here). Though most English speakers have likely never associated the delicate weed with the lions -- despite the appearance of the one word in the other -- upon further examination we find that the word "dandelion" originated as a corruption of the French name "dent de lion," which also means lion's tooth. So, in the end, dandelion and "Loewenzahn" mean exactly the same thing. Let out a roar and make a good wish the next time you blow the top off a dandelion.