Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?

Subject: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Mr Red
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 07:46 AM

yes I did look for it here but does anyone have a grasp of Old or Middle English and an insight on the meaning?

I do have one man's opinion and he is in the eponymous band that are playing at Folk on the Water July - I will post in a day or two if no clear meaning is revealed.

And it is just a bit (but hardly that much) unseemly.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translat
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 08:08 AM

A merkin is a pubic wig I believe.
Then of course there is this wonderful film from 1969.
Giok

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:01 PM

'Giok' is correct in his belief ... odd thing to have, I agree, in today's more 'trimmed' times, but there you go .... times change ....

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: MMario
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:10 PM

I would guess that "smerkin" is based on "smirking" to smile in an affected or smug manner

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translat
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:22 PM

Well in Italian caricare is load, and scaricare is unload, this leads me to deduce that merkin has Latin roots linguistically, and smerkin means, get it off!
G.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: MMario
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 01:29 PM

found this:

the term's etymology as stemming from an "alteration of obsolete malkin, lower-class woman, mop, from Middle English; from Malkin, diminutive of the personal name Matilda" American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 02:18 PM

OED-
Merkin
1. a woman's pudendum. First in print, 16th c.
2. Counterfeit hair for a woman's privy parts. Grose, 1796; Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (taken from Bailey's Dictionary).
(a variant of malkin as noted by MMario)

Smerkin-
Smiling or smirking

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: leeneia
Date: 11 Apr 07 - 09:21 PM

You're making this up.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translat
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 03:25 AM

Nope,
An additional definition (Penguin book of Historical Slang) is 'an artificial vagina for lonely men'.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 06:39 AM

Methinks this thread was delayed by 10 days.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Jeanie
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 07:39 AM

Interesting information on the origin and uses of the word here:

Merkins, Grimalkins and Maid Marians

I had always thought up until now that it was just the name for a cat, as in "I come, greymalkin", as spoken by 1st Witch in Macbeth.

In my innocence, had never heard of such an item of "apparel" - but apparently originally worn in earlier centuries by prostitutes who had shaved to guard against lice, and now worn for "decorative" purposes, in various colours and shapes. Well...you learn something new every day....

- jeanie

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Crane Driver
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 08:15 AM

So, when GWB stands up and says "Ah'm proud to be ahmerkin" does it mean he's not a real Bush?

I'll get my coat . . .

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 09:17 AM

...........& no smerkin in pubs from July!!!!!!8-)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Apr 07 - 12:47 PM

Mr H; They've already stopped us in Wales (April 2nd)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Smerkin mekin, old English -translation?
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Apr 07 - 03:14 AM

Well it didn't need me to explain - you all knew it anyway!