Corn or maize?

Corn is the most important crop in the USA, which produces half of the world´s total.

Indians taught colonists to grow the indigenous plants, which included some varieties of yellow corn that are still popular as food. Since its introduction into Europe by Columbus, it has spread to all areas of the world because of its ability to grow in diverse climates. Corn can be used boiled or roasted on the cob or converted into flour. Corn oil is used in some diets because it contains little cholesterol.

Roasted corn on the cob

Although it is an important food, it is inferior to other cereals in nutritional value. 

In the United states the pink, red, and blue varieties of corn are used in autumn decorations. 

In British English the word corn refers to any crops such as wheat and barley. If we mean the seeds of a corn plant we say maize. 

Curiously, in British English, corn can also mean a small piece of hard skin on your foot or toe. 

The idea for this post came from:

Bryson, Bill. Em casa. Breve História da Vida Privada. Bertrand editora 2011.