Medieval England and the Origins of Language and Traditions To supplement The Canterbury Tales Dana Moyer

Knock on Wood, then Break a Leg Medieval society was superstitious Wood Sprites ruin things Dangerous to dictate hopes near a tree Knocking deafened devious creatures “Break a leg” confuses Sprites

Ring Around the Rosy Bubonic Plague Symptom: rosy red circle around the cheeks Herbs (posies) carried in pockets to prevent transmission Victims were cremated Ring around the rosy A pocketful of posies "Ashes, Ashes" We all fall down!

Literally Saved by the Bell Overcrowded cemeteries People had been buried alive Bell attached to a string in the coffin “saved by the bell” “graveyard shift” listening for bells ringing

Poor Baby! Fathers took baths first Babies last to bathe in the same water Filthy water could hide baby "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

Here Comes the Bride! Women took their yearly bath in May They didn’t yet smell by June Bouquets of flowers mask smell June- Wedding month today

Take Cover! Thatch roof Bugs and mice fell through Sheet provided protection Canopy beds

Threshold of Wealth Wealthy had slippery stone floors Straw, or thresh, was spread over the floor Wood bar nailed at door to hold it in “Step over the threshold”

Pardon My French British considered French vile JE M’EXCUSE! British considered French vile Any vulgar phrase equated to French Term used before cursing

Chewing the Fat Meat was rare Sign of wealth for a man to “bring home the bacon” “chew the fat” Socialization expression

Bibliography www.rhymes.org.uk/ http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/Phrases. htm