[lit-ideas] Re: Manly Flowers
- From: David Ritchie <ritchierd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <galbraith@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2004 16:48:01 -0800
on 4/2/04 10:20 AM, on the subject of thistles Judith Evans responded to
John Wager:
>> actually I was just appealing to David's Scottish side.
>
> We Brits knew that!
Ah, but which thistle?
>
From the Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland:
The thistle has been an important symbol in Scottish heraldry for over 500
years, but botanists are confused as to which of the several native and
introduced thistles this heraldic thistle represents. The spear thistle,
musk thistle, melancholy thistle, stemless thistle, Our Lady's thistle and
cotton thistle are all contenders.
The first use of the thistle as a royal symbol in Scotland appears to have
been on silver coins issued by James III in 1470, and the Order of the
Thistle was founded by James VII in 1687. There is no historical evidence
for the popular legend of an invading Viking treading on a thistle and
crying out, thus giving the Scots warning of an attack, but the motto nemo
me impune lacessit (loosely translated as 'No one attacks me and gets away
with it') is usually associated with the Scottish thistle badge.
So when your nephew does himself a nasty, a bunch of spear thistles, mixed
with musk ones, and perhaps one of two melancholy blooms, would be the
bouquet to send, possibly with a sword fern or two for dramatic effect,
additional greenery and height.
Angel investors interested in my startup manly flower internet delivery
business should write to Big Jimmy's Spear Thistlery and Swordfern Farm,
Slightly Bruised-Looking Acres (purple and green), Oregon, or e-mail me at
Ah'venutherbluddysplinterinmafinger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
David Ritchie
Portland, Oregon
------------------------------------------------------------------
To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off,
digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html
Other related posts:
