Mary Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 The twelfth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Twelve lords a-leaping, Eleven pipers piping, Ten ladies dancing, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree. WHAT IS A COLLY BIRD?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Colly birds? They are birds that round up sheep! The line 4 calling birds, believe it or not is an americanization of 4 colly birds. Colly means black, as in coal is black, hence the name collier for coal miners, so colly birds are blackbirds, which can be very vocal in defending it's patch, especially at breeding times. I expect the true love would have liked the recipient to have baked him a pie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Colly birds? They are birds that round up sheep! The line 4 calling birds, believe it or not is an americanisation of 4 colly birds. Colly means black, as in coal is black, hence the name collier for coal miners, so colly birds are blackbirds, which can be very vocal in defending it's patch, especially at breeding times. I expect the true love would have liked the recipient to have baked him a pie. Incorrect Cleo!, Colly birds are those that nest in the branches of the Cauliflower tree with the misspelling due to the Americanis(z)ation of the word pronounced as Collyflower especially in the southern states where the plant is used as a bouquet at wedding ceremonies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 You think I jest? I did, but, the truth is in there too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Must say you are all wrong and it is collared birds. This was usually a domestic bird bred for table and secured by a small leather collar so that it would be easily recognised in the rest of the flock as being the one saved especially for the festive feast and so not sold or used before the festive celebration. The fact that four were sent to the true love signifies that they either had a large family to feed or was a sign of wealth on the part of the sender. A case of "Look I can afford to give away four birds that we were to have for the festive season and so would be able to support you in a grand manner". So now you have seen the three entries on this posts edition of call my bluff who are you going to plump for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Tessla Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 There are theories about the christian meaning of the gifts,including the partridge in a pear tree being christ crucified. In this , possibly fanciful, interpretation, the four calling birds are the writers of the four gospels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Tessla Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Must say you are all wrong and it is collared birds. This was usually a domestic bird bred for table and secured by a small leather collar so that it would be easily recognised in the rest of the flock as being the one saved especially for the festive feast and so not sold or used before the festive celebration. Not a bondage reference then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Must say you are all wrong and it is collared birds. This was usually a domestic bird bred for table and secured by a small leather collar so that it would be easily recognised in the rest of the flock as being the one saved especially for the festive feast and so not sold or used before the festive celebration. The fact that four were sent to the true love signifies that they either had a large family to feed or was a sign of wealth on the part of the sender. A case of "Look I can afford to give away four birds that we were to have for the festive season and so would be able to support you in a grand manner". So now you have seen the three entries on this posts edition of call my bluff who are you going to plump for. Thought that was a "Collared Dove" Sid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Originally a Pagan Festival, taken over by the Christians, now taken over by the Retail Industry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Originally a Pagan Festival, taken over by the Christians, now taken over by the Retail Industry! What!! singing the carol - "The Twelve Days of Christmas" or fastening collars on birds, Come! Come! obs your slipping old chap it's not like you not to read the the post subject before replying. :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Originally a Pagan Festival, taken over by the Christians, now taken over by the Retail Industry! Slipping up Observer, you won't find many disagreeing with you on that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 So, Mary, which definition do you say is the true one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Whatever the definition, the recipient got a bit peed off with all the noise, and the bird droppings from four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge all over the house! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I would have though you would have all know what a collie bird was being the clever sorts. It is basically just a bird that is black ie a black bird. Coal = Black.... Coal = Colliery ... and people couldn't spell so it got know/written as a Colly Bird ... numpties Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I would have though you would have all know what a collie bird was being the clever sorts. It is basically just a bird that is black ie a black bird. Coal = Black.... Coal = Colliery ... and people couldn't spell so it got know/written as a Colly Bird ... numpties READ THE REPLIES, READ THE REPLIES Dizz, keep up will you, Cleo explained that at 0331 hrs this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 I wasn't awake at 0331 hrs Algy although I was at 05.30.... and I haven't been all 'awake' all day, You try having migraine swirly eyes and keeping up it not bloody easy you know but at least I tried Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 READ THE REPLIES, READ THE REPLIES Dizz, keep up will you, Cleo explained that at 0331 hrs this morning. LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 The Common Blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Spot on Mary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Whatever the definition, the recipient got a bit peed off with all the noise, and the bird droppings from four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge all over the house! ..... but he would have had one heck of a Christmas dinner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 I wasn't awake at 0331 hrs Algy although I was at 05.30.... and I haven't been all 'awake' all day, You try having migraine swirly eyes and keeping up it not bloody easy you know but at least I tried Sorry Dizz!, (genuinely) I sympathise with you over the migraine's as although I don't have them regularly but I do have occasional attacks, nasty and they lay me low, tends to give me tunnel vision with zig-zag lines each side of the tunnel if that makes sense. Back to topic, why have Americans substituted "colly" for "blackbirds", not as if they don't have blackbirds over there, they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 [quote name='algy' why have Americans substituted "colly" for "blackbirds", not as if they don't have blackbirds over there, they do. Algy, it wasn't the americans that called blackbirds collies. Colly is a 16th century english word for blackbird. The americans changed it to callingbird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Algy, it wasn't the americans that called blackbirds collies. Colly is a 16th century english word for blackbird. The americans changed it to callingbird. Flippin Heck! Cleo I'm getting more confused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hey! just had a brainwave , only got the one so don't expect any more for a while!, is that why the called coal miners "Colliers" and they worked in a "Colliery" and ships carrying cargoes of coal were also called "Colliers", getting the hang of this now. :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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