Word Origin & History
strawberry
O.E. streawberige, from streaw "straw" + berige "berry." There is no corresponding compound in any other Gmc. language; the reason for the name is uncertain, but perhaps it is in reference to the tiny chaff-like external seeds which cover the fruit. A cognate O.E. name was eorðberge "earth-berry" (cf. Mod.Ger. erdbeere). Strawberry blonde is attested from 1884.