No. doubt they could even if they wanted to.

Well, it was a nickname. I’m fairly certain that’s how it is spelled.

Love and cup have both had fairly consistent spellings throughout the years, but do please recall, that I only learned to read in the late 1600′s and so only know what things looked like before that period by virtue of the same study you yourself could employ. Granted, I had better access in 1670 to texts from the 1300′s (what few there were) than you do today, but I’m almost sure you could find at least one or two references.

My guess would be that it is spelled precisely as modern English speakers have spelled it. And yes, it had a similar nickname in French.

Clean. Eject obnoxious patrons. Learn how to wear makeup. Put on fancy clothes and chat to men so horny they’d hump a brick wall.

youcantseebutimmakingaface:

simonalkenmayer:

n. Now I know what you’re thinking. “Simon has given us several anatomical references in Ye Olde Timey Words, so this must surely be a reference to a lady’s pleasure envelope,” but no. In fact it’s a terribly boring word.

You see, back in the Middle Ages, every town had what was called a tron, or a beam, or a King’s beam, mensurage, etcetera. Essentially, it was an approved scale or weighing mechanism that allowed the King or the baron to collect tax revenues. So too was it true that there were walls around larger cities, toll houses built nicely therein. Certain roads had posting along them, particularly near bridges, that would require contributions as well. All of these were in addition to annual or biannual taxes levied simply to pay for your stead, or your right to have a comburgess (peer of the mayor, or a town councilor, someone enfranchised and free) vouchsafe your wares. If you traveled from far away, perhaps a place that was not subject to the laws of the King or baron, another country or so forth, you still had to contribute though you were treated a bit differently. Your papers and accolades had to be checked, your wares inspected for quality. Thusly, the taxation on you was a kind of acknowledgement of the authorities of the area – a sign of favor or obedience. So it is, that this pool of revenues was called by many names by the many different peoples who encountered it, one of which was “lovecup”.

Example: “I’ve already had my shilling tossed in the lovecup. I’m on my way to market.” or “Have you visited the lovecup, because if not, it’s best not to spend those pennies on a pint.”

I suppose without context, it sounds a bit dirty, no? If you heard it in the lane, you’d likely think he was talking about something else. Especially if you have my background, because there was a long period of time in which ladies of purchasable affection used pennies as a form of contraception, because they were the ideal size to block the cervix. If you want to know when that period of time was, look for an upturn on the census of baby girls who were named “Penny”.

I worked in more than one brothel. You’ll have to pardon my strange knowledge.

To add to the strange knowledge, pure copper is an EXTREMELY effective spermicide, in that it literally disintegrates the sperm cells. It also causes a thickening of the mucus in the cervix, which further impedes sperm motility and implantation of any fertilized egg. In fact, it’s so effective we still use it today in the non-hormonal copper IUD implants.

While I wouldn’t advise cramming a fistful of change up your ‘pleasure envelope’, due to germs, the fact that most pennies are now copper and zinc, and it being a bit impractical, it’s probably worthwhile to remember in case of extreme emergency.

https://www.bustle.com/articles/144818-the-one-thing-nobody-tells-you-about-the-copper-iud

Thank you for that addition. Of course they knew none of that then, but yes, when coins actually were mostly copper, it was very effective, I’m sure.