Plant-based was a ‘no.’ Animal-based was a ‘sorta yes, depends on who you believe.’
I for one am fascinated to hear the ultimate answer.
Here are all the unequivocal ‘yes’ answers in case it helps somebody.
Is it food or weapon? Most people would say it is the former but many experts think it is instead the latter. What is it?
Are those who use it as a “weapon” human? Are those who use it for food human? Yes
As a weapon, is it used against humans? Yes
As a weapon is it typically lethal? Yes
Is it typically used intentionally as a weapon? Yes
Does it shoot projectiles?Yes
Would those who use it as a weapon use it to fire projectiles at a human target? Yes
To be clear: The food and the weapon are two different items. Yes
One would not eat the thing that is used as a weapon, and one would not use the food violently. Yes
Are the experts experts in a third category that is more relevant to the solution than the other two? Yes
Is the food a natural, single ingredient item such as a banana or an egg? Yes
Is it an egg?Yes
Is the food generally eaten cooked? Yes
Does it do its damage through making holes in the target? Yes
If someone were to view a typical picture of the food, would they in all probability identify the item depicted as a food and not as a weapon? Yes
If someone were to view a typical picture of the weapon, would they in all probability identify the item depicted as a weapon and not as a food? Yes
Is the weapon, by weight, primarily composed of
Metal? Yes
If I were to ask a truthful, non-deceitful weapon expert, would he say the kinetic energy of the weapon’s projectile comes from
Explosive? Yes
Would it be effective at destroying an inorganic, inanimate object?Yes
Reply to Chronos
OK, this is a tough question to ask, so bear with me:
Given the statement “Some would say that ____ is a food, while others would say that ____ is a weapon”, is there any single expression which could be inserted into both blanks which would make that statement constitute a solution to this puzzle? Yes
Are the experts who would consider “it” a weapon experts in some linguistics-related field? Yes, at least some of them I think.
Does this puzzle involve etymology? Yes, in a way…
No to all
I think we’ve established that it’s an egg.
Thanks- I’m struggling to keep track of everything!
Is there some word whose etymology is generally assumed to be food-related, but which is actually (as known to the experts) weapon-related?
(I’ve a hunch that this is it, but I can’t think of what the word would be)
Oh, and just to facilitate further questioning:
Would it be misleading for us to refer to the food as “the egg”?
Would it be misleading for us to refer to the weapon as “the gun”?
This puzzle has blown my mind out. I have no idea what the solution is.
Some kind of poisonous egg?
But that does not shoot projectiles. 
For the weapon, are we looking for the launcher or the object which is launched? Or the combo?
Is knowledge of any language other than English relevant for solving this puzzle?
reply to Chronos
Is there some word whose etymology is generally assumed to be food-related, but which is actually (as known to the experts) weapon-related?
(I’ve a hunch that this is it, but I can’t think of what the word would be)
**You are looking in the right direction…
And qualify this as some * experts*
**reply to Chronos **
Would it be misleading for us to refer to the food as “the egg”? **Not misleading **
Would it be misleading for us to refer to the weapon as “the gun”? **Not misleading **
**No **
**No **
**launcher **
**No **
Oh my gosh. I think I have it. This literally would be my first(I think) solve since we started these in July.
Is it:
Humpty Dumpty
OK, I just looked at Mahaloth’s spoiler, and I’m pretty sure that’s it. My brain kept dancing around that, too, but for some reason just never alit on it.