According to *Michael Quinion, in his 'Word Wide Words, the 'yealms', or individual bundles of straw that are laid onto a roof in the thatching process, are
'fixed in place by hazel sticks called brotches, a
word that was once commonly spelled "broach" or "broche" and which could mean a pointed device of several kinds. It's the same word as "brooch" for the ornamental pin.
Now who wouldn't want to spend a romantic weekend in a cottage like this? I'm not sure I'd even be thinking about how the roof was constructed.:)
*World Wide Words is copyright (c) Michael Quinion 2011. All rights
reserved. The original article is at the Words website at http://www.worldwidewords.org
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'Freeread':'A BARGAIN WITH DEATH
Good Monday morning, Lyn, sweet friend. Interesting post. I'm reminded of my trip to Ireland, so many of those romantic cottages with colorful roofs and flower-lined paths to the door. Thanks for the memories
ReplyDeleteI have a few brooches, I love them. My Mother has some beautiful brooches. My favourite of hers is a New Guinea 'Holey' coin that she had made into a brooch. My Father was stationed in New Guinea during WWII & sent it to her. It's literally been through the wars.
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Hi Marybelle
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my Blog - what an interesting brooch your mother has, I'll bet it could tell a few stories!
Well, I guess I wouldn't be thinking of the roof either, LOL, but it sure is darned cute! :)
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