Names
The common name cowslip derives from the Old English cowshit meaning "cow dung", probably because the plant was often found growing amongst the manure in cow pastures.
The species name vēris means "of spring".
Folk names include Cowslip, Cuy lippe, Herb Peter, Paigle, Peggle, Key Flower, Key of Heaven, Fairy Cups, Petty Mulleins, Crewel, Buckles, Palsywort, Plumrocks.
Read more about this topic: Primula Veris
Famous quotes containing the word names:
“A name? Oh, Jesus Christ. Ah, God, I’ve been called by a million names all my life. I don’t want a name. I’m better off with a grunt or a groan for a name.”
—Bernardo Bertolucci (b. 1940)
“Row after row with strict impunity
The headstones yield their names to the element,
The wind whirrs without recollection....”
—Allen Tate (1899–1979)
“At present our only true names are nicknames.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)