December 15, 2008
What the heck is figgy pudding?
Like many of you, I grew up listening to Christmas carols at this time of year. It just wasn’t Christmastime in our house until Burl Ives and the Ray Conniff Singers could be heard belting out their upbeat messages of peace and happiness and joy.
Today, my iPod plays many of the same songs my parents’ old record player used to spin. But, ever since I was a child, there are some lyrics that have always made me pause.
This year, I decided to research and define some of the more puzzling terms from my favorite Christmas carols:
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
We want some figgy pudding
Please bring it right here!
- “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
figgy pudding (noun): A traditional English dessert from the 16th century. A steamed, cake-like treat filled with dried fruits and liqueurs; also known as Christmas pudding or plum pudding.
The horse was lean and lank;
Misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot.
- “Jingle Bells”
upsot (adj): Overturned (19th century).
There exists some debate on the meaning of the word. Some say that it means “intoxicated.”
The cattle are lowing,
the poor Baby wakes,
But little Lord Jesus,
no crying He makes.
- “Away in a Manger”
low (verb): To utter the sound made by cattle; moo.
(an example of onomatopoeia)
Hark! the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
hark (verb): To listen; pay attention (c.1175), from Old English *heorcian.
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
- “Deck the Halls”
troll (verb): To sing in a full, rolling voice (c.1575).
Now let’s get out there and troll some Christmas carols!
Filed by rebecca at 12:59 pm under For the love of words
I love this post! I knew most of these already, but in general, I really enjoy learning meanings of old words. But I especially love etymology. Maybe you can do more posts detailing the origin of words and phrases.
I didn’t know about the alternative meaning for “upsot.” Considering the context here, I’d say overturned makes more sense!
Whoops, some poor writing there. Sorry.
PS. Yum! The pic really lights up your blog!
Thanks, Steph! I love learning new words and singing Christmas carols, so I figured, why not combine the two?
And thanks for the suggestion. I’d love to do more posts on the origin of words and phrases. I have some great sources for that kind of information. Stay tuned.
(I’ve never had figgy pudding before, but I thought that photo looked pretty yummy. Cake, fruit, liqueurs … what’s not to like?
Hahah! I was just hearing the Figgy Pudding part in the store the other day, and I though “WTF is Figgy Pudding”.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Is that what you don’t get, (if you don’t eat yer meat?). (..if you’re a Pink Floyd fan).
Friar: You’re welcome. It must be pretty darn good the way those carolers beg for it (”We won’t go until we get some …”).
Excellent Floyd reference, by the way. How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat yer meat?
bob would be proud of you knowing PF…
Well, not many little girls grow up listening to Floyd and Zeppelin …