| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Ladies’ Smocks. | | |
Garden cress, botanically called Cardamine, a diminutive of the Greek kardamon, called in Latin nasturtium, sometimes called Nose-smart (Kara-dam n, head-afflicting); so nasturtium is Nasi-tortium (nose-twisting), called so in consequence of its pungency. | 1 |
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| “When ladies’ smocks of silver white |
| Do paint the meadows with delight.” | |
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Called Ladies’ smocks because the flowers resemble linen exposed to whiten on the grass—“when maidens bleach their summer smocks.” There is, however, a purple tint which mars its perfect whiteness. Another name of the plant is “Cuckoo-flower,” because it comes into flower when the cuckoo sings. | 2 |
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