"That's a great deal to make one word mean," Alice said in a thoughtful tone. "When I make a word do a lot of work like that," said Humpty Dumpty, "I always pay it extra."

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Gardyloo

   
Gardyloo was a warning cry from medieval times, used to warn passers-by of waste about to be thrown from a window into the street below.

3 comments:

  1. That might make an excellent blog name.

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  2. Does this have anything to do with using "loo" for toilet?

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  3. I have always assumed that it has, Librarian. I imagine it comes from the French 'gardez' - beware - and loo (as in that which is about to descend on you as the chamber pots are emptied!!) Quite where 'loo' came from in the first place I don't know.

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