Notes and Queries, Number 04, November 24, 1849 by Various
page 20 of 56 (35%)
page 20 of 56 (35%)
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humiliation, owe its origin to the "umble pye" specified above?
J.T. HAMMACK * * * * * BISHOP BARNABY. Mr. Editor,--Legour asks, why the people in Suffolk call a lady-bird "Bishop Barnaby?" I give the following from the late Major Moor's _Suffolk Words_. "Bishop-Barney. The golden bug. See Barnabee. In Tasser's _Ten Unwelcome Guests in the Dairy_, he enumerates 'the Bishop that burneth' (pp. 142. 144.), in an ambiguous way, which his commentator does not render at all clear. I never heard of this calumniated insect being an unwelcome guest in the dairy; but Bishop-Barney, or Burney, and Barnabee, or Burnabee, and Bishop-that-burneth, seem, in the absence of explanation to be nearly related--in sound at any rate. Under _Barnabee_ it will be seen that _burning_ has some connection with the history of this pretty insect." "Barnabee," writes the Major, "the golden-bug, or lady-bird; also Bishop-Barney: which see. This pretty little, and very useful insect, is tenderly regarded by our children. One settling on a child is always sent away with this sad valediction:-- |
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