Nut facts for kids

Nut or nuts is a word that can mean many different things! It can be a tasty snack, a part of a machine, or even an ancient goddess. Let's explore the different ways we use this word.

Nuts as Food

When most people think of a nut, they think of a delicious snack. These nuts are actually a type of seed or fruit that grows inside a hard outer shell. Many kinds of nuts are eaten by people all over the world.

What is an Edible Nut?

In botany, which is the study of plants, a true nut is a dry fruit with one seed. This seed has a hard outer shell that does not open on its own. Examples of true nuts include acorns, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. However, in everyday language, we call many other things nuts too! For example, peanuts are actually legumes, like beans. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are seeds from a type of fruit called a drupe. Even though they are not "true" nuts botanically, we still call them nuts because of their hard shells and how we eat them.

Popular Types of Nuts

There are many kinds of nuts that people enjoy eating.

• Almonds: These are popular in snacks, desserts, and even milk.
• Walnuts: Known for their brain-like shape, walnuts are often used in baking.
• Pecans: Sweet and buttery, pecans are famous in pies and other treats.
• Cashews: These creamy nuts are often roasted and salted.
• Pistachios: Fun to crack open, pistachios are green and often used in ice cream.
• Peanuts: Very common and used in peanut butter, though they are technically legumes.

Why Nuts are Healthy

Nuts are very good for you! They are packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber. They also have vitamins and minerals that help your body grow strong and stay healthy. Eating nuts can give you energy and help you feel full. They are a great snack for kids and adults alike.

Nuts in Hardware

Another very different meaning of "nut" is a small piece of hardware. This kind of nut is usually made of metal. It has a hole in the middle with ridges, called threads.

How Hardware Nuts Work

A hardware nut is designed to screw onto a bolt. A bolt is like a metal rod with matching ridges. When you turn the nut onto the bolt, they fit together tightly. This creates a strong connection that can hold two or more things together. Think of how a bicycle wheel is attached to the frame, or how parts of a desk are put together. Nuts and bolts are used in many machines and structures to keep them from falling apart.

Different Kinds of Hardware Nuts

Just like edible nuts, there are many types of hardware nuts. They come in different shapes and sizes for different jobs. Some common types include:

• Hex nuts: These are six-sided and very common.
• Wing nuts: These have "wings" that you can turn by hand without tools.
• Lock nuts: These are designed to stay extra tight and not loosen easily.

Nut, the Egyptian Goddess

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Nut was a very important goddess. She was known as the goddess of the sky and the heavens.

Who Was Nut?

Nut was often shown as a woman arching her body over the Earth. Her body was covered in stars. The ancient Egyptians believed she swallowed the sun every evening. Then, she gave birth to it again each morning. This explained why the sun rose and set each day. She was also seen as the mother of the stars and the planets.

Nut's Role in Mythology

Nut played a big role in the Egyptian understanding of the world. She was the daughter of Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. She was also the sister and wife of Geb, the god of the Earth. Their children included important gods like Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. Nut was believed to protect the dead and help them reach the afterlife. She was a symbol of protection and rebirth in ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Other Meanings of "Nut"

The word "nut" can also be used in other ways, especially in everyday language.

• Sometimes, "Nuts!" is an exclamation. It can mean "That's too bad!" or "Oh no!"
• If someone says they are a "nut" for something, it means they are very enthusiastic or passionate about it. For example, "He's a football nut!" means he loves football very much.
• To "go nuts" means to become very excited or energetic, sometimes even a little wild, but usually in a fun way.