maypop
maypop Lexical Profile
maypop Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American The edible, yellowish-green, egg-shaped fruit of the North American passionflower, noted for producing a loud popping sound when stepped on.
"While foraging in the humid southern woods, she gathered a handful of ripe maypops to make a sweet, tropical-tasting jelly."
American A fast-growing, perennial trailing vine (Passiflora incarnata) native to the southeastern United States, characterized by its striking, intricate purple and white flowers.
"The native maypop is a vigorous climber that can quickly blanket a sunny fence during the peak of summer."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived via folk etymology from an Algonquian word, likely the Powhatan 'maracock'. English settlers altered the name to 'maypop', likely because the plant emerges in May and its hollow fruits make a distinct popping sound when crushed underfoot.