kippernut

A kippernut is a common name for the peanut, *Arachis hypogaea*. The term is most often used in certain regions of the United Kingdom, particularly in East Anglia. Peanuts are legumes, not true nuts, and grow underground. The peanut plant flowers above ground, and after pollination, the flower stalks elongate and force the developing fruit, the peanut pod, into the soil where it matures. Peanuts are native to South America and are now cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. They are a significant source of oil and protein and are consumed in various forms, including roasted, boiled, as peanut butter, and as an ingredient in many dishes. The term "kippernut" likely originates from local dialect and its exact etymology is not definitively known, though it is understood to refer to this familiar legume.