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Dictionary definition: ‘DEVIL’. taboo word
- Article from:
- A Dictionary of Superstitions
- Author:
Copyright© A Dictionary of Superstitions 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information)
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‘DEVIL’. taboo word
1663
PEPYS
Diary
21 May.
Being at supper, my wife did say something that caused me to oppose her in; she used the word ‘Devil’, which vexed me.
1678
RAY
Proverbs
125.
Talk of the Devil, and he'll either come or send.
1800
W. BINGLEY
Tour Round North Wales
II 226 [242]
In the churches, when the name of the Devil occurred, an universal spitting used formerly to seize the congregation, as if in contempt of that evil spirit.
1838
A. E. BRAY
Devonshire
I 184.
A strange, squint-eyed, little, ugly, old fellow, who had a look … very like a certain dark personage, who ought not at all times to be called by his proper name.
1871
N & Q
4th ...
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Dictionary definition: ‘KNIFE’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;
274 words
...‘KNIFE’. taboo word 1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When setting their lines they avoided, and do still, mentioning certain objects, except by certain special words or phrases. Thus a knife is called skunie , or tullie .
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