Dash my wig and buttons! Where have all the clouts got to? You can never find a clout when you need to cast one! I used to think they were a type of trout fishing fly that you couldn't use before the may-flies had swarmed.
A clout round the lug-hole was any lady's response to ungallant attentions from kids or blokes, as all ladies always had a cloth to hand - floor-cloth, dish-cloth, flannel, tea-cloth, towel, napkin etc. The best effect was achieved with a wet clout/cloth, which when whipped across the ear of the offender reulted in a stinging and memorable blow - what modern teachers call a hands-on teaching-aid I believe? The v-word is what blokes don't have when faced with a clout laden lady - opinel !!!
PS. It may not be historically correct but I've heard it whispered that after Boudicca had bent all her best weaponry on the Romans, she finished them off with her damp dish-clout (;-)
As Cousin Robert would have said "Don't talk tosh and taradiddle, Sir". I just hope none of the grandchildren read this and then quote it in their history lessons.
8 comments:
Dash my wig and buttons! Where have all the clouts got to? You can never find a clout when you need to cast one!
I used to think they were a type of trout fishing fly that you couldn't use before the may-flies had swarmed.
I give up, whassa clout?
A cloth. It means: Don't leave any clothing off until the may is out, or until after the end of May, English weather being treacherous.
A clout round the lug-hole was any lady's response to ungallant attentions from kids or blokes, as all ladies always had a cloth to hand - floor-cloth, dish-cloth, flannel, tea-cloth, towel, napkin etc. The best effect was achieved with a wet clout/cloth, which when whipped across the ear of the offender reulted in a stinging and memorable blow - what modern teachers call a hands-on teaching-aid I believe?
The v-word is what blokes don't have when faced with a clout laden lady - opinel !!!
PS. It may not be historically correct but I've heard it whispered that after Boudicca had bent all her best weaponry on the Romans, she finished them off with her damp dish-clout (;-)
As Cousin Robert would have said "Don't talk tosh and taradiddle, Sir". I just hope none of the grandchildren read this and then quote it in their history lessons.
OK, as long as they understand the present usage of the word clout is derived from an aggressive action with a cloth I will desist.
Though without tosh and tarradiddle I regret I shall be extremely limited in the content of my communications.
A valid point. And I in the content of my blog. As you were then.
Cheers, Mike.
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