I was interested in the etymology of aspartame. A-H gives this: "aspart(ic acid) + (phenyl)a(lanine) + m(ethyl) + e(ster)". Aspartic acid gets its name from the lovely sparrow's grass (asparagus); one would hope that phenylalanine got its name from fennel, but no such luck; methyl is from the Greek word methus 'wine' and hule 'wood; stuff'; and finsally, keeping up with the foodstuffs, ester is from German Essigäther from Essig 'vinegar' and Äther 'ether'.