Lisbon myths: Why are the people of Lisbon called 'alfacinhas'?

A person from Lisbon is also known as 'alfacinha' or 'little lettuce' (a diminutive of this vegetable), and the first time it was written was in the 19th century, by Almeida Garrett, in the book 'Viagens na Minha Terra'. At a certain point the phrase appears: 'Pois ficareis alfacinhas para sempre, cuidando que todas as praças deste mundo são como a do Terreiro do Paço' ('Hence you will be 'alfacinhas' forever, caring that all the squares of the world are like that of Terreiro do Paço'). But he did not explain the reason for this name; so, the truth is that this food gave its name to the residents of Lisbon and nobody knows why. 

A whole mythology was built around this classification: it is said that the people of Lisbon are very fond of lettuce, more than any other green food; and they cultivated them in the small gardens that were being maintained in the city; it is also said that, just like the vegetable cultivation, they don’t particularly like to leave their place. There is another theory that tells that this name was given by 'saloios' (rustic people), who supplied Lisbon with vegetables - once again with a reference for the preference for lettuce.

However, 'alfacinha' may not be considered as a compliment, because it can carry a certain depreciative sense: truth be told that lettuce is not even a 'real' vegetable. But it doesn’t matter anyway: when washed, without stalks and old leaves, seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and a new onion cut into thin strips, is a gift. And yes, that's how the 'alfacinhas' love lettuce, and it's also the reason, it is said (once again!), that the people of Lisbon do not mind being called as such term! 

So, are you interested in knowing the alfacinhas of Lisbon and the beautiful capital?