English names of Tragopogon pratensis

[Tiggrx]

I am hoping someone can solve a mystery that is bugging me.

I have been reading a book called "The Book of a Naturalist" by W. H. Hudson published 1919. In the book there is a chapter entitled "John-go-to-bed-at-noon" which talks about Tragopogon pratensis and mentions that it has three names. These he gives as John-go-to-bed-at-noon, Goat's-beard and a third which he won't say. Apparently this third name is offensive to polite ears. Of course this has made me very curious.

After a bit of research I have come up with the following names for the plant: Buck's-beard, Clock-flower, Go-to-bed-at-noon, Goat's-beard, Jack-by-the-hedge, Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon, John-go-to-bed-at-noon, Joseph's-flower, Meadow Salsify, Nap-at-noon, Noon-flower, Noontide, One-o'clock, Shepherd's-clock, Sleep-at-noon, Sleepy-head, Star-of-Jerusalem, Twelve-o'clocks, Yellow Goat's-beard.

None of these seem to me to be particularly offensive (even to 1919 ears) so I am guessing that I have missed finding it. As he mentions Goat's-beard and John-go-to-bed-at-noon we can discount most of the above anyway as a lot are variations on these themes.

The only other clues that he gives is that contemporary floras had stopped using the name (but not the country folk) but it was in print in Elizabethan times.

Does anyone know what the mystery name could be?

Of course if it really is rude you could PM it to me

Thanks
Aaron

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I am hoping someone can solve a mystery that is bugging me.

I have been reading a book called "The Book of a Naturalist" by W. H. Hudson published 1919. In the book there is a chapter entitled "John-go-to-bed-at-noon" which talks about Tragopogon pratensis and mentions that it has three names. These he gives as John-go-to-bed-at-noon, Goat's-beard and a third which he won't say. Apparently this third name is offensive to polite ears. Of course this has made me very curious. Aaron

A good chance that it was included under the "Dandylion" = "xexexexe a bed" colloquialism in many parts of the Country.

PS - as I've just tried to post the 'rude' bit above 21st century technology appears to share 1919 sensibilities - lets see what it makes of "p*** a bed"

CM

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

A good chance that it was included under the "Dandylion" = "xexexexe a bed" colloquialism in many parts of the Country.

PS - as I've just tried to post the 'rude' bit above 21st century technology appears to share 1919 sensibilities - lets see what it makes of "p*** a bed"

CM

I knew what you meant even with the censoring

You could well be right - I hadn't thought of that connection

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Cotham Marble

A good chance that it was included under the "Dandylion" = "xexexexe a bed" colloquialism in many parts of the Country.

PS - as I've just tried to post the 'rude' bit above 21st century technology appears to share 1919 sensibilities - lets see what it makes of "p*** a bed"


CM

Swearing is not allowed on WAB....:

[Jonners]

I believe that the french for dandelion is pissenlit! (en being in, and lit being bed)

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Swearing is not allowed on WAB....:

I knew I was asking for trouble

[thunder]

Given the shape of the closed up flower, I wonder if Hudson knew of a more.. err... anatomical dialect name? I've not been able to trace one, and Grigson gives nothing that would make anyone blush, as far as I can see.

Is it Sussex that Hudson was writing about?

henrya

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by thunder

Is it Sussex that Hudson was writing about?

He gives an instance of a man in Cornwall being too embarrassed to tell him the name of the plant, but gives the impression that the name is widespread.

[loripo]

One of the common names I came across is Shepherds Clock, make of that what you will

[SandyBeds]

A decoction of the root makes a good diuretic I read, and hence the colourful name referred to by CM.