> I've been especially confused by "pineapple". Is it really in reference to apples? Or am I sounding stupid by just asking that?

Well, a + o, my old fruit, if you are stupid, then so am I - it is a name that has always puzzled me. Although it doesn't really taste much like an apple, I suppose it tastes more like an apple than an orange, or even a pear. It's general appearance is faintly reminiscent of a pine-cone, I suppose. Could this be the etymological base for its name?