Joan-in-the-wad

An elf, pixie, will-o'-the-wisp; intended as the feminine counterpart of Jack in the wad, which is the equivalent of jack-o-lantern.

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References

Sources

  • Scott, C.P.G. (1895). "The Devil and His Imps: An Etymological Inquisition." In Transactions of the American Philological Association. Vol. 26. Boston: Ginn & Co., p. 116.
  • Wright, J. (1902). The English dialect dictionary. Vol. 3. London: H. Frowde.