| 释义 |
Witham|ˈwɪtəm|
Also 6 wyttam, wittam, wittome, 7 wittham.
The name of certain villages in Lincolnshire and Essex. Little (or small) Witham was used proverbially (with pun on wit n.) for a place of which the inhabitants were remarkable for stupidity. Hence (app.), without qualification, used for: A witless person, a fool.
1538Bale Thre Lawes B ij, Small wyttam be your spede. 1562J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 182 Whens come great breeches? from little wittam. 1589Nashe Anat. Absurditie C 3 b, Who so snatcheth vp follies too greedilie..may happes proue a wittome whiles he fisheth for finer witte. 1589Martins Months Minde G 2 b, I appoynt..to each of them an Aduouson: To the former of small Wittam: and to the other of little Brainford. 1589Almond for Parrat D 4, G. W. of Wig. house, in the land of little Wittam, chosen to the place and function of a pastor. a1661Fuller Worthies, Lincs. (1662) 153 Lincolneshire..Proverbs. He was born at Little Wittham... It is applyed to such people as are not overstock'd with acutenesse. |