Origin: Tropical America
Etymology: from “pepper” 

Solanaceae family
A large fleshy pod, containing seeds, almost square in shape with 4 lobes, or tapered to 3 lobes.

While sweet or bell peppers are part of the Capsicum family, they are distinguished from all other chilies by their much larger size and by their flavor… which is distinctly more civilized! 

Fruit, vegetable or condiment? It’s important to know that the color plays a large role in the pepper’s flavor: green, it has a straightforward and somewhat astringent personality; red, it approaches paprika of which it has the color and aroma; orange, it becomes milder and sweeter; yellow, you might call it a fruit! Peppers have long been associated with the Mediterranean region, and are a natural companion for eggplants and tomatoes.