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11 Jan 06 - 07:24 AM (#1646204) Subject: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: sian, west wales 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 |
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11 Jan 06 - 07:36 AM (#1646207) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: GUEST OK, I give up ! |
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11 Jan 06 - 09:09 AM (#1646218) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: GUEST,Bainbo 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. |
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11 Jan 06 - 09:22 AM (#1646226) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: Paul Burke 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. |
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11 Jan 06 - 10:15 AM (#1646256) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: sian, west wales 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 |
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11 Jan 06 - 12:11 PM (#1646325) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: Paul Burke 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. |
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11 Jan 06 - 03:32 PM (#1646432) Subject: RE: Folklore: Riddle Me This From: sian, west wales 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 |