On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 2:36 PM [GMT+1=CET], Guy Morgan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> In message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, Mike > Stevens <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes >> On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 11:53 AM [GMT+1=CET], >> BARRY HOLLAND <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> >>> I believe you told me @ Coppermill that "Harnser" is a country name >>> for "Owl" is that right? >> >> Nope. It means "heron". >> > Interesting hat the shakespeare qoute " he can't tell a hawk from a > handsaw" which means IIRC - from a heron is more comprehensible if > you subsrtitute harnser for heron. Harhser corrupted to handsaw. More likely in that context is another word for "heron" - "hernshaw" which is much more easily corrupted to "handsaw". And the Hamlet quote is actually "I am but mad north-north west. When the wind is southerly I can tell a hawk from a handsaw." To add to the fun, a "hawk" is not only a bird but a plasterer's tool on which he holds his plaster. So the phrase can work either way round. I bet you didn't really want to know that! Mike Stevens narrowboat Felis Catus III web-site www.mike-stevens.co.uk No man is an island. So is Man.
