Definition of orange squash

The phrase "orange squash" may initially seem like a contradiction, as "squash" is traditionally associated with various types of winter squash, such as pumpkins and butternut squash. However, there is a reason behind this seemingly confusing terminology. In the United Kingdom, particularly in the traditional cooking traditions of British colonial settlers in places like Jamaica or Barbados, "squash" came to be used in reference to specific fruits that are actually citrus fruits, including oranges, as these fruits often grew in tropical climates where squash traditionally did not. The exact origin of the word "squash" for these fruits is uncertain, but it might relate to the soft texture of these fruits when ripe, similar to the texture of a ripened squash, or the sound they make when hitting the ground. This usage of the term "squash" for these fruits persisted in the UK well into the twentieth century, and in fact, some older generations still use the term today, particularly in rural or traditional communities. Overall, the history of the use of the word "orange squash" teaches us about the convergence of cultural practices and how the same term can come to mean different things in different contexts.