A short segue here...

In Snuffy's post of 21 Nov 2006, he "recites" parts of Miss Kilmansegg and Her Precious Leg. One line that caught my eye (as I was waving it aloft) is:

She was gold, all gold, from her little gold toe
To her organ of Veneration! (SP, 1383-84)

...and now I'm wondering, quite seriously, if that's the origin of Gold Toe socks.

As for that "Organ of Veneration", those who venerate certain female sexual organs may be surprised to find that this phrase refers to an area of the brain, and has its basis in phrenology (the belief that character traits manifest themselves in the shape and protuberances of the skull). The Organ of Veneration was supposed to govern one's propensity toward (or against) devotion, worship, deference to superiors and reverence of authority.

Hope this link works -- it's page 150 of "The Principles of Phrenology" by Sidney Smith (published in 1838) which gives a detailed description of the Organ of Veneration according to that era's beliefs.

Back to our regularly scheduled discussion...