Cuckoopintle

/ˈkʌkuːˌpɪn.təl/ noun

Definition

A variant name for cuckoopint, the same wildflower with a spotted stem and distinctive flower spike.

Etymology

From 'cuckoo' + 'pintle' (an archaic word for a pin, bolt, or penis), related to cuckoopint; 'pintle' comes from Old English and refers to the phallic spike in the center of the flower.

Kelly Says

The fact that the same plant has multiple bawdy old names (pintle, prick, priest's tool) shows that even medieval plant lovers had a sense of humor—botany wasn't always so scientifically sterile!

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