The article delves into the confusion surrounding the names used for the salad vegetable Eruca sativa in English-speaking countries, predominantly focusing on 'rocket' and 'arugula'. This duality of names is not merely a linguistic curiosity but rather a reflection of the historical context of Italian migration. The name one uses can disclose their cultural ties and the origins of their exposure to the vegetable, revealing deeper societal connections among communities.

The discussion begins with the Latin term 'eruca', which had both a culinary and a botanical connotation, simultaneously meaning 'caterpillar' due to the resemblance of the plant’s hair to caterpillars found in brassicas. As the Roman Empire began to wane and Vulgar Latin transitioned into various Romance languages, these terms took divergent paths, exemplifying how cultural exchanges and migrations have influenced the language and nomenclature of food products.

Furthermore, the article illustrates how the aristocratic 'rocket' signifies a Northern European culinary culture, while 'arugula' is a term that came to be embraced by Italian-speaking immigrants in America, showcasing the culinary journey and the social history of diasporic communities. This linguistic evolution parallels broader patterns of migration and cultural integration, revealing how food and language are intertwined in the shared human experience.