I am sure that only on this forum can I pose this question without fear of being politically incorrect...or vulgar...or both.
I was conversing with a young lady from the Phillipines and happened to mention the word Ocimum. She blushed and laughed nervously. I cautiously asked why the embarrassment.
She replied that in her culture it was a bad word!
Gallantry and a Victorian upbringing (certainly not my enquiring mind!) precluded any further exploration of the "lost in translation" concept.
But here I have no qualms.
Can anyone tell me why I should not discuss the "basil" plants in scientific terms, with Filipino-speaking persons who may not have had a background in taxonomy?
With many thanks for your time and attention.