E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Alligator Pears (the fruit of Persea gratissima)
is a curious corruption. The aboriginal Carib word for the tree is “aouacate,” which the Spanish discoverers pronounced “avocado,” and English sailors called “alligator,” as the nearest approach which occurred to them.
