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The rutabaga or swede (Brassica napobrassica) is a root vegetable, closely related to the cabbage and the turnip.
"Rutabaga" (from dialectal Swedish rotabagge) is the American term, "Swede" is the British term. It is also known as the "Swedish turnip" or "yellow turnip", and Scots call it "neep" or just "turnip" — the vegetable known elsewhere as a turnip being called a "white turnip" in Scotland, and in the U.S., where rutabagas may also be called "yellow turnips."
In Scotland, "neeps" are traditionally served mashed as part of the Burns Night Supper and are hollowed out at Hallowe'en to make Jack-o'-lanterns.
The swede is native to Sweden, and was introduced into Scotland. From there, it spread to the rest of Britain and to North America. It is largely unknown in continental Europe.
Many native speakers of the English language consider the word "rutabaga" to be an inherently funny word.
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