Nige wrote:
|| Ian Rawlings wrote:
||| Lots of places had their names changed due to the names becoming
||| rude
||| through the changing meanings of words, IIRC the word "****" didn't
||| always used to be regarded as rude, hence "Grope **** Lane", now
||| "Love
||| Lane" in London.
||
|| Best road name ever - 'fanny hands lane' in Ludford, Lincolnshire!!!
|| Used to pass it on me way to Louth, made me ****!!!
Ian's right. Chaucer used it openly (spelled "queynt" in those days, but
the etymology is the same), and Shakespeare made several joking references -
anyone do Hamlet at school? Hamlet to Ophelia:
Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
No, my Lord.
I mean, my head upon your lap?
Ay, my Lord.
Do you think I meant country matters?
I think nothing, my Lord.
(Shakespearean audience: Fnarr fnarr.)
Now Gropecuntlane WAS a street known for prostitution. I wonder if Fanny
Hands Lane was the same in Ludford, or if it was just the dwelling of a lady
called Fanny Hands. Shame if it was, but I bet she had some fun.
--
Rich
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