Maize; the “mealies” of South Africa.
a. 1621. Better grain cannot be then the Indian corne.—Capt. Smith, ‘New Eng. Trials,’ 261. (N.E.D.)
1630. Though we have no beef and mutton,… our Indian corn answers for all.—Winthrop, ‘Letters’ (1825), i. 379. (N.E.D.)
a. 1683. Their diet is maize, or Indian corn, divers ways prepared; sometimes roasted in the ashes; sometimes beaten and boiled in water, which they call homine.—W. Penn, quoted in Watson’s ‘Historic Tales of New York,’ 1832, p. 49.
1705. The Year 1608 was the first Year in which they gather’d Indian Corn of their own planting.—Beverley, ‘Virginia,’ p. 18 (Lond.).
1774. See conversation between George III. and Tho. Hutchinson, s.v. CORN.
1788. Either the Indian corn, called maize, ground small, or rice boiled with water to a thick consistence, being preferred to bread by many of those who live in the country [South Carolina], they are brought to table almost at every meal.—American Museum, iii. 333/2.
