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Thread: Forgotten English.

  1. #1
    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Forgotten English.

    " A morsel of execration "

    A piece of cheese or bread which was consecrated with a form of exorcism, desiring of God that it might cause convulsions and paleness, and find no passage if the person was really guilty, but might turn to health and nourishment if he was innocent.

    This really comes across as a form of voodoo or ju ju, as adapted to 18th Century England. Perhaps even a culinary take on the witchs ducking stool?

  2. #2
    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    " Testiculatory."

    An apparently ancient practice, where a man gives testimony while placing his hands between the thighs, as though swearing by his generative powers.

    An unusual one. I've never come across it before, despite having worked with Italians, who strike me as the most prolific in the use of hand gestures. Presumably one also utters at the same time "Castrate me if I lie."

  3. #3
    rat in a strange garret Whifflingpin's Avatar
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    The practice goes back at least to Abraham, if I remember correctly.
    Voices mysterious far and near,
    Sound of the wind and sound of the sea,
    Are calling and whispering in my ear,
    Whifflingpin! Why stayest thou here?

  4. #4
    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Thanks Whifflingpin.
    Any links that could point me towards that?
    Best regards
    M.


    Today's contribution is "benefit of clergy."

    In England prior to about 1827, a felon could plead this in mitigation; by a demonstration of comprehension of Latin using Psalm 51, at the judge's discretion.

  5. #5
    rat in a strange garret Whifflingpin's Avatar
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    Try Genesis chapter 24.
    Voices mysterious far and near,
    Sound of the wind and sound of the sea,
    Are calling and whispering in my ear,
    Whifflingpin! Why stayest thou here?

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    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Got it thanks: Genesis 24: 2 & 9.

    Apparently this form of oath still exists in parts of India and Ethiopia.

    Some Jewish writers interpret it as a respect for the covenant of circumcision. More likely a respect for his seed and the promised Messiah that should spring from his thigh.

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    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    "Culliage."

    An ancient custom in Scotland which gave a lord the liberty of lying the first night with his vassal's bride.

    I believe the Normans also practiced it after the conquest of England. Termed "droit du seigneur " or " jus primae noctis."
    Last edited by MANICHAEAN; 02-26-2018 at 11:42 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by MANICHAEAN View Post
    "Culliage."

    An ancient custom in Scotland which gave a lord the liberty of lying the first night with his vassal's bride.

    I believe the Normans also practiced it after the conquest of England. Termed "droit du seigneur " or " jus primae noctis."
    Gilgamesh was running the same racket 4800 years ago. It's good to be king.

  9. #9
    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Good to see PB that you are getting back on form.

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    Thanks, M.

    Stercoraceous: resembling or consisting of human waste; "Kindly remove this stercoraceous concoction and bring me the brisket I ordered!"

  11. #11
    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Whilst I can relate " stercoraceous" to perhaps a predilection in the works of Rabelais on this subject matter, I'm at a loss for your undoubted classical source regarding the request for brisket?

    Meanwhile, so unwise of Enkidu to block the way of King Gilgamesh to the wedding chamber to exercise his noble right. I would have waited until his pants were down and gained the advantage.

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    No doubt the reason Sumerian kings preferred robes.

    And I was also surprised by the definition of stercoraceous. I thought it was the age of the dinosaurs.

    Rhagades: Small fissures or chaps on the skin. "Her beguiling rhagades won her suitors."

    rhagades

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    Inexplicably Undiscovered
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    Just by coincidence, this morning I found an email in my inbox on this very topic.
    The list included "lunting," "groak" and "cockalorum," which look and presumably sound like terms from a Harry Potter book or the old Monty Python show.

    I guess our friends in the British Isles are experiencing a little curglaff today, what with the snow and frigid weather. Our local TV news "team" as they call themselves admitted they had no sympathy for the Brits and Scots since we here in the Great Northeast and the infamous Snow Belt are well accustomed to winter's wrath.

    And in case I ever get invited to another shower or "hen party" I'll try to remember to avoid asking a woman if she's "with squirrel." What if she's not?




    https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an...e-word-1691356

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    Gobemouche: a gullible or credulous person; "That gobemouche falls for any snoutfair who groaks at her pie." (Unless "to groak" transitive, in which case: "Yo, slubberdegullion, stop groakin' my pie!"

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    MANICHAEAN MANICHAEAN's Avatar
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    Leof Aunty
    Thank eow foro aem eower uteweard waeterstream English wederu.
    I wena eow weorofulnes well.
    M.

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