I have often used the word 'peckish'. usually when I am only feeling slightly hungry or feigning politeness or a bit of southern charm. But I never really stopped to wonder why. Why peckish? It makes you think of a woodpecker drilling into a tree trunk for grubs. I never would have thought that was the origin though.
First recorded use was in the year 1714. Like many words that we use, it began life as a slang word. More specifically in this case, a British criminal slang word. This is according to an answer that Jonathon Green (Slang lexicographer. Author: Green's Dictionary of Slang (2010)) posted on Quora. " It is one of the earliest of all recorded slang terms and first appears in a glossary of criminal language published in 1566."
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Today I Learned why the Unicorn is the National Animal of Scotland! It was believed that the unicorn was the natural enemy of the Lion. The lion of course being the National Animal for Great Britain, the Unicorn was a logical choice for Scotland. If you don't see that correlation right away, then you need to brush up on your European history! The British did their best to eliminate Scottish traditions, culture, heritage, which was their way when conquering people. It makes sense for the Brits. Especially if since they believed that they were the superior civilization. It was an act of kindness to transform those heathens, be they Scots, Indians, Native Americans, etc. into proper British citizens. But I digress....Back to Unicorns! I learned in elementary school that the unicorn was the national animal of the Scots. I remember it because I always loved the idea of unicorns. (And the idea of the Scots! That's a bucket list item, go to Scotland...see castles...visit Skara Brae...touch standing stones...fall in love.) It never occurred to me to wonder why they chose the unicorn, until today. Nor did it occur to me that early people actually believed in unicorns: "The existence of the mythical creature was only disproved in 1825 by scientist Baron George Covier, who said it was not feasible for an animal that had a split hoof to have a single horn coming from the top of its head. Worldwide, belief in the unicorn lasted well over 4,000 years, particularly in eastern Asia where it was a benevolent bringer of good luck." I find it fascinating that such a majestic creature was not always seen as mythical. That there were true believers and that this magnificent beast retains the guardianship of the Scottish people, even past the time of belief! Today I learned that Between July and September 1518, People in Strasbourg actually danced themselves to death! I was watching a Buzzfeed Unsolved, when they mentioned people in France dancing themselves to death. I then did some research and found out that it's true. And this isn't the first time that it had happened. This is just the best documented case in history. Referred to as the Dancing Plague of 1518, there are many theories as to why nearly 400 people were compelled to dance non-stop, but no conclusive evidence. In the end the people were removed from the city and taken to a healing shrine. Then symptoms started to abate, but not before many had died from exhaustion. The more you know! Geez!
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AuthorLike so many others that have blogged before, Terry is an aspiring author. Archives
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