nettles

nettles
   It is still generally accepted that nettle stings can be cured by the application of a dock leaf, but in the past it seems that the accompanying words were as important a part of the procedure as the physical process: 'Nettle in - dock out, dock in - nettle out' (Northumberland, 1851); or 'Dock, go in, nettle, go out, Dock shall have a white smock, And nettle shall go without' (Addy, 1895: 92). Even Chaucer knew the charm: as Troilus is protesting that he cannot suddenly stop loving Cri-seyde, 'But kanstow playen racket, to and fro, Nettle in, dok out, now this, now that' (Troilus and Criseyde (c.1374), iv, lines 460-1). Nettles also featured strongly in the calendar customs associated with *Royal Oak Day. The traditional punishment for children not wearing an oak leaf on that day was that their legs could be attacked with nettles wielded by other children. The plant also features regularly in folk medicine (see Vickery).
   ■ Vickery, 1995: 253-8; Opie and Tatem, 1989: 279; Roy Vickery, Folk Life 31 (1992-3), 88-93.

A Dictionary of English folklore. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Nettles — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Isaiah Nettles, US amerikanischer Bluesgitarrist und Sänger John Nettles (* 1943), britischer Schauspieler Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit demselb …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Nettles — Net tles, n. pl. [See {Knittle}.] (Naut.) (a) The halves of yarns in the unlaid end of a rope twisted for pointing or grafting. (b) Small lines used to sling hammocks under the deck beams. (c) Reef points. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nettles — Recorded in several spellings including Nettle, Nettell, the patronymic Nettles, and probably others, this is a medieval English surname. It has at least two possible origins. The most likely is a nickname for a person with the prickly… …   Surnames reference

  • nettles — n. nettles sting * * * nettles sting …   Combinatory dictionary

  • Nettles in folklore — Nettle, both stinging and non stinging (sometimes called dead nettles ), have many folklore traditions associated with them.Myths from ancient daysFabric woven of nettle fiber has been found in burial sites dating back to the Bronze Age. Milarepa …   Wikipedia

  • Nettles (surname) — People with the surname Nettle include: Kerry Nettle (born 1973), Australian politician People with the surname Nettles include: Bonnie Nettles (1928–1985), co founder of the Heaven s Gate cult Graig Nettles (born 1944), baseball player Jennifer… …   Wikipedia

  • nettles — noun Small lengths of cord attached to a sail, used to secure the excess fabric after reefing; reef points …   Wiktionary

  • nettles — net·tle || netl n. any of numerous plants with stingy hairs that irritate the skin on contact v. sting with thorn or nettle; annoy, irritate …   English contemporary dictionary

  • NETTLES — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Nettles, Graig —  (1944–) American baseball player …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”