Realizing there are but two days of high fiber remaining, I remain hopeful that 'spinster' or 'warp' make the list.

I wish I knew if it were wise to wish to wanna know what you are talking about.

This week's theme
Fabric words used metaphorically

metaphorically. I'll try to knot that word into my brain. Thanks.

do you think you can cotton to the idea?
-ron o.

Certainly so, it's not woolly at all.

Thats something to Mull over

That's for sure and satin.

Polly Ester

Wow at least the term "thread" fits here !

ok, let's see how long we can string this one along.




(long, along? what's up with that?)

The relation of the word "plush" to furs is new to me. However, it brings to mind the word "surplice" - the ecclesiastical garment worn "super pelliceum" - over the fur garment.

Super pelliceum? Don't see how to spin a yarn from this.

super pelliceum

Sub pellibus, literally 'under the skins', meant 'in camp' because Roman soldiers had tents covered with skins. Latin pellis 'skin, hide' is related to an English word that has penetrated many other languages, film (see AHD4, link). Though Spanish stuck with Latin and uses película < Latin pellicula 'small, soft skin'. And, of course, when the Saxa Volventa performed for Nero, they played Sub Pollice.

Hi Argent
Personally I consider anyone who still uses the ster spinster to be warped.

There was in Benedictine (Trappist,etc.) monasteries,
a huge many-pleated overgarment worn over the habit
in choir. The churches were stone, unheated, and very
uncomfortable. This was worn in the many hours spent
singing the Breviary (Liturgy of Hours). Does anyone
know what it was called. The closest I can remember is
cucula, cuculum. But cannot find it.

surplice? (fr. L. superpellicium)

Holy moly! I did the Onelook search for cucu*--there are a LOT of words that start with those letters!! Here, Luke--take a look, since I don't know what I'd be looking for:
Onelook

This looks like the regular thread and needle work.

Surplice

Yes, I had already checked that site. It is amazing, isn't it?
I have a friend in a Benedictine Monastery and shall contact him before pursuing this further.
But the word surplice is what made me think of it, especially as a former resident of a boarding school.
And the surplice worn by the choir master had split sleeves for conducting: always got a laugh out of
that. Thanks Jackie.

yeahbut®, choosing "Common words only" lists only 20...

and why the surplice page in French? why not surplice?

The French surplice page was my 'fault'. I was looking for images of that many-plated overgarment LJ was talking about. As only the images counted and this popped up through my Dutch Google search I did't care to change it. I can find no plated stuff.(was interested to see how it looked)

I found the word: cuculla, probably plural form of cucullum because it was so ample.

second paragraph: http://www.osb.org/gen/habit.html

Now I just need to find a picture of it. There is a monk on You Tube wearing one, but don't know
how to get it to this thread, any more than I can put a picture here. (still working on Twosleepy's directions.)

Well, with a little work, and not too computer savvy, I found a picture of lots of
It is in the Onelook list too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kovelklein.JPG

It was worn over the regular tunic and scapular, note huge sleeves.

Here he is, Luke (I finally figured out pictures myself, not too long ago); oh, and thanks for the word:

Looks like what we used to call a choir robe. If I can make out the details through the black on black motif

This what you meant? I kept confusing pleated with plated or scaled. Now, after searching 'pleated garment'/ images I know what pleat means.

Sometime maybe you can help twosleepy help me figure them out. I think I need to do it on Firefox, as
that is what she uses.

It's possible. I cannot find a good picture of the cucula,
but I talked to a monk and he said the picture we have here
is OK, but not adequate. The cuculla is far more ample and
filled with pleats around the shoulders and collar, which this
one is not (but then there are different "brands" of Benedictine
monks, e.g. American Cassinese, Swiss American, etc.) The pleats
have names for various saints and virtues, etc. At least
I got something into the thread (pun) on fiber.

These essentially are surplices. Now worn by choir boys, altar servers, assistants to bishops, acolytes,etc.