Folklore: Riddle Me This

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: sian, west wales
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 03:32 PM

I'd say 'yellow' because it's a 'traditional' adjective. There's a Welsh folk song (and dance) titled The Yellow Sheepskin. And I somehow think that, before proper cases, they were kept in sheepskins? I wonder if the lanoline had any benefits ... ?

I had the same thought re: fingers.


siân

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: Paul Burke
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 12:11 PM

Well, I googled till I got this:
Riddles from NE Scotland

Perhaps the teeth are the fingers? But you only wiggle 4 of them...

and why a yellow fleece????

My guess to the other riddle is a butterfly, or perhaps a bird.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: sian, west wales
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:15 AM

No, I don't get the '10' reference, and I reckon that the fleece has something to do with the way it was once 'kept' or stored.

So ... how did you 'cheat' on this, Richard?

All I can think of as an answer to yours is 'meadow'?

siân

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: Paul Burke
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:22 AM

I wouldn't have guessed either, and since I cheated, and I still don't see how the answer fits the riddle (except the second and last lines), I won't give it away...

But here's another, one to which as far as I know NO ONE knows the answer. My translation from Middle English, it was originally a song:

Maiden in the moor lay
In the moor lay
Seven nights and a-
Seven nights and a-
Maiden in the moor lay
In the moor lay
Seven nights and a day.

(the structure's the same from now on, so I'll skip the repeats)

What was her meat?
Well was her meat-
The primrose and the violet.

What was her drink?
Well was her drink-
The chilly water of the spring.

What was her bower?
Well was her bower-
The red rose and the lily flower.

Suggestions welcome.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: GUEST,Bainbo
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 09:09 AM

Erm .. a bunch of ten bananas? No, no the "belly" bit doesn't fit.

A very small piano. With only ten keys. And a yellow jacket .... No, no, of course not.

Let's see - "yellow fleece"... a fireman? Oh, hell. I give up.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 07:36 AM

OK, I give up !

Subject: Folklore: Riddle Me This
From: sian, west wales
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 07:24 AM

My Secret Santa - the Wonderful Hollowfox - sent me a passle o' riddle books. We have an 'agreement' that 'previously owned' books are highly desireable so these are often ex-Library volumes. Which makes one wonder about people's reading habits these days if these are surplus to requirement ... anyway ...

I LOVE RIDDLES! It isn't beyond belief that other 'Catters do as well.

So - here's the first one I read, opening one book at random. (Do you ever open a used book and just let it fall open to see what previously readers have found interesting?)

Right. I would never have guessed this in a million years, and I think it refers in part to past times and practices that have passed from common practice:

Ten teeth without a tongue.
Good sport for old and young.
Take it out of its yellow fleece
And tickle it on the belly piece.

Ummmm ... not sure what to do about the answer. Scroll down? PM? Wait for some answers?

Suggestions and answers welcomed.

siân