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As Josi wondered where the phrase Sending to Coventry came from, I checked my invaluable Cassell Dictionary of Word Histories.
Coventry n. used only in the phrase to send to Coventry, meaning to ostracize. WH 16C. Coventry, a city in Warwickshire (now a unitary authority)in central England. The phrase arose in the 18C, when Royalist prisoners captured in Birmingham in the English Civil War were sent to Coventry, a Parliamentary stronghold.
Whilst we're on the subject of Coventry, one of the places that suffered so badly from bombing raids during WW2 ...
My diary has a quote for each week and I've just noticed the following which appeared on last week's page:
"You have to give this much to the Luftwaffe: when it knocked down our buildings, it didn't replace them with anything more offensive than rubble. We did that."
For "knocked down" read "dropped bombs on and killed people".
But you are assuming Stan's post refers to that particulay lady. Perhaps he has contact with another deity? Remember Maureen rides a throne (of sorts) and I have gathered, from various posts over time, that she is viewed as upon a pedestal.
Comments
Coventry n. used only in the phrase to send to Coventry, meaning to ostracize. WH 16C. Coventry, a city in Warwickshire (now a unitary authority)in central England. The phrase arose in the 18C, when Royalist prisoners captured in Birmingham in the English Civil War were sent to Coventry, a Parliamentary stronghold.
So now we know.
My diary has a quote for each week and I've just noticed the following which appeared on last week's page:
"You have to give this much to the Luftwaffe: when it knocked down our buildings, it didn't replace them with anything more offensive than rubble. We did that."
For "knocked down" read "dropped bombs on and killed people".
I expect you can guess who said it.
My dad was on the guns in Coventry during WWII, so experienced that first hand.
But you are assuming Stan's post refers to that particulay lady. Perhaps he has contact with another deity? Remember Maureen rides a throne (of sorts) and I have gathered, from various posts over time, that she is viewed as upon a pedestal.