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

2. 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

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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."

6. 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

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

8. 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”

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

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

11. Bibliography www.rhymes.org.uk/
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