The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #46310   Message #3888810
Posted By: GUEST,karen
15-Nov-17 - 07:49 PM
Thread Name: Origin: Saint James Infirmary Blues
Subject: RE: Origin: Saint James Infirmary Blues
I try to stay away from red herrings, but folkies must be aware of lock and key double entendres/metaphors in folksong?

If you google for a document about the Bath Lock Hospital and Penetentiary 1816, you'll find a document of the type that convinced me that the term was not slangy or vulgar at that date. Hope this is useful.:)