Talk:Hook Head

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Origin of "by Hook or by Crook"

Latest comment: 17 years ago2 comments2 people in discussion

I removed the following section:

The phrase "by Hook or by Crook" allegedly entered the English language during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland (1649-53) when Oliver Cromwell stated he would attack Waterford city "by Hook or by Crooke" - Crook Head being a small headland on the opposite side of the Suir estuary.

(But it is also said that "by hook or by crook" meant the allowed ways of commonly collecting firewood in old times: a blunt tool that could dislodge dead branches, not a sharp tool that could cut live wood.)

According to http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/82400.html, the phrase dates back at latest to the 14th c., too early for Cromwell. Jeff Worthington 17:59, 11 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

So if Cromwell said it he was probably just trying to be punny. (Sarah777 06:46, 27 September 2007 (UTC))Reply

Ironically,the above joke (a good one) is not itself a pun, but rather a play on words.

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