[Loch-Ruadh] Word of the Day, March 30-31

Cait O'Hara lady_cait at lycos.com
Fri Mar 29 05:45:28 PST 2002


Sun-dance

A custom was formerly in vogue of rising early on Easter-day to see the sun “dance,” the superstitious believing the sun really did dance on that day.
-- James Halliwell’s Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, 1855

Easter
In the Islands of Scilly, it was customary at [Easter] for “the young people to exercise a sort of gallantry called goose dancing, when the maidens are dressed up [as] young men, and the young men [as] maidens.  Thus disguised, they visit their neighbours in companies, where they dance and make jokes upon what has happened in the island … without offence being taken.  By this sort of sport, according to yearly custom and toleration, there is a spirit of wit and drollery kept up among the people.  When the music and dancing is done, they are treated with liquor, and then they go to the next house of entertainment.”
-- Robert Heath’s Historical Account of the Islands of Scilly, 1750

Summer Time begins (U.K.)








---
Never meddle in the affairs of dragons;
For you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
-- Acacia



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