The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #38119   Message #537775
Posted By: reynardyne
29-Aug-01 - 07:03 PM
Thread Name: Whiskey Jars, Guinness Pails - Irish Idioms?
Subject: RE: Whiskey Jars, Guinness Pails - Irish Idioms?
Guest,

The rhyme 'Jack and Jill' refers to King Charles' (I) messing about with measurements of capacity (of which a 'jack' and a 'jill' were but two) for taxation reasons. I think Brendan McWilliams wrote on the subject in his Irish Times column a while ago. Anyone keep back issues? I think mine was used to mop up a mistake made by the dog.