Click image or caption to return

Return

Note: Popkirtle means what? To understand "pop", think of the song, "Pop Goes the Weasel". When spinning pieces of thread on a spinning wheel by twisting the filaments into a long continuous yarn, the yarn was collected onto the weasel. When the weasel was filled to capacity, it "popped" off the weasel holder. So "pop" means removing something. A kirtle was a woman's dress. Thus "Popkirtle" meant "a woman to pop off her dress": to urinate, defecate, or possibly to entertain male customers, while passing a pleasant day at the markets. Popkirtle Lane was also called "Pissing Lane" (explanations should not be required).

Back

© Copyright 2006 - 2018    The Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg Trust     Website Terms of Use