A clew is also part of a sail. It’s the attachment point at the bottom/ back of the sail. (The foot and the leach). Usually made of several layers of fabric, with a reinforcing ring secured by twine.
Totally Fascinating. In the 16th ‘word fight’ poem, The Flyting of Montgomery and Powart, the Scottish goddess of witchcraft, Nicnevin, ‘casts a clew’—a tangled mess, a thread of fate, or a way out—a path clearing spell. Thanks for posting about this.
I love this article! I first came upon the word clew as a little girl reading George McDonald’s “The Princess and the Goblin”. Like Theseus, the princess Irene is given a ball of thread to find her way out of danger, and she calls it her clew. I failed to look it up when I was younger and only recently learned the meaning! Thank you for your always entertaining and well written etymologies!
As a reader of mystery novels, I’m going to toss in this thread — a clue is never obvious and often misinterpreted. The best detective is the one who can unravel its meaning, untie any knots, and follow the thread to the culprit.
In modern Dutch, the word "kluwen" (pronounced clue-en) also means a tangled mass, usually of thread but often used in an immaterial sense, such as the tangled history of a problem.
Further spinning this thread: clew lines were lines used to furl sails (by hauling the clew at the bottom). And so, the bo'suns mate yelling "clew it up" meant to finish the job. And no, the mate would not accept clew lines in a ball or mass of line. No no no
I really like the part about the of worms, the picture was great! When I was little we used to collect worms after a heavy rain. You should do post about the etymology of pontiff.
Thanks for this post. Some great etymology. I just love the fascinating stories behind our words, which is perhaps why my newsletter is ‘All About Words’. I just love reading other people’s posts about word origins. I learn more every day. Thank you!
Wonderful article! I’ve just come to Substack and titled my offering “any thread” Intuitively drawn to your article so what a lovely surprise to read if these myths that circle spinning, weaving, threading, yarning x
A clew is also part of a sail. It’s the attachment point at the bottom/ back of the sail. (The foot and the leach). Usually made of several layers of fabric, with a reinforcing ring secured by twine.
Totally Fascinating. In the 16th ‘word fight’ poem, The Flyting of Montgomery and Powart, the Scottish goddess of witchcraft, Nicnevin, ‘casts a clew’—a tangled mess, a thread of fate, or a way out—a path clearing spell. Thanks for posting about this.
I love this article! I first came upon the word clew as a little girl reading George McDonald’s “The Princess and the Goblin”. Like Theseus, the princess Irene is given a ball of thread to find her way out of danger, and she calls it her clew. I failed to look it up when I was younger and only recently learned the meaning! Thank you for your always entertaining and well written etymologies!
As a reader of mystery novels, I’m going to toss in this thread — a clue is never obvious and often misinterpreted. The best detective is the one who can unravel its meaning, untie any knots, and follow the thread to the culprit.
In modern Dutch, the word "kluwen" (pronounced clue-en) also means a tangled mass, usually of thread but often used in an immaterial sense, such as the tangled history of a problem.
Further spinning this thread: clew lines were lines used to furl sails (by hauling the clew at the bottom). And so, the bo'suns mate yelling "clew it up" meant to finish the job. And no, the mate would not accept clew lines in a ball or mass of line. No no no
I love this. I've been learning to spin, so this is a great addition to the connection with the past.
I really like the part about the of worms, the picture was great! When I was little we used to collect worms after a heavy rain. You should do post about the etymology of pontiff.
good idea! i will do that one soon :)
I had no clew, truly!
Lovely post for IWD.
I wonder if the word club somehow relates to this word. Originally it seems to have referred to a mass of material such as the heavy end of a weapon.
Really enjoyed this one (minus the worms) - nothing better than a good origin story.
This was really fascinating to read about, especially the bit about the worms!
Old High German: chlunge
Middle High German: klunge
Middle Low German (closest to English): Klumpe
a misshapen ball or knot
Maybe clump shares the etymology of clew?
Thanks for this post. Some great etymology. I just love the fascinating stories behind our words, which is perhaps why my newsletter is ‘All About Words’. I just love reading other people’s posts about word origins. I learn more every day. Thank you!
Wonderful article! I’ve just come to Substack and titled my offering “any thread” Intuitively drawn to your article so what a lovely surprise to read if these myths that circle spinning, weaving, threading, yarning x
Looks like the Minotaur just wants to play hide and seek