Posted by Caroline on July 30, 1997 at 19:55:13:
In reply to Cows posted by Jane on July 30, 1997 at 10:46:03
] Weren't they meant to keep cows or other livestock off off the lawn? yes
And can anyone comment on when they came into vogue---I think it had to do with pseudo-pastoral landscaping styles.
yes, about a hundred years before JA, though as said in the dictionary definition below, the word itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon for "hole". It was a technique used to make the house look like part of a perfect landscape whilst at the same time not allowing nasty little farm or game animals too close to the house. If you want to look it up, the Phrase is "Landscape Garden Movement" and the names to look for are
Humphrey Repton and "Capability" Brown.
And to quote the play, if I came accross one unexpectedly, I'd be more likely to say "Bloody'ell!" than "Ah-Ha!"
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