Settling the Dispute - Yam vs. Sweet Potato

As it is the season in which they shine most brightly, let's settle this dispute once and for all. Allow me to clarify - A yam is NOT (bolded, underlined and italicized just for clarity) a sweet potato.

A real yam, found frequently in Africa, can grow up to 8 feet long. The story goes, African slaves brought to America recognized our sweet potato as similar in appearance (albeit typically much smaller) and called it "yam".

So, the next time your great aunt offers you some of her famous "candied yams", try to hold back your urge to pronounce  her a liar and fraud.

this fine fellow is holding an actual yam