Bonfire

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HelenBrits
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Bonfire

Postby HelenBrits » Fri Oct 07, 2011 4:22 pm

I was thinking about the time of year - Guy Fawkes, gun powder plot and all associated and wondered why a bonfire is so called?
Any ideas?

Perry Lassiter
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Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:00 pm

Hi Helen! Always like to see a newcomer, and we hope to see you often. As to bonfire, Oxford online says: late Middle English: from  bone  + fire. The term originally denoted a large open-air fire on which bones were burnt (sometimes as part of a celebration), also one for burning heretics or proscribed literature. Dr Johnson accepted the mistaken idea that the word came from French bon 'good'
Thanks for asking, you taught me something.
pl

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Slava
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Postby Slava » Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:07 pm

Howdy HelenBrits, and welcome to the Agora!

To put my two pence in and add to Perry's note, isn't it interesting that a pyre in which we burn bones has turned into a happy time? Most bonfires are collegial times, with marshmallows and all that jazz.

I have to ask, in case anyone out there knows; just how well do bones actually burn? Good topic for the month of Halloween, eh?
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Perry Lassiter
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Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:14 pm

Slava, One word. Cremation.
pl

Perry Lassiter
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Posts: 3333
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
Location: RUSTON, LA
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Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:18 pm

Slava, One word. Cremation.
pl


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