Dunmow

English

Noun

Dunmow (uncountable)

1. Used with reference to a tradition in Little Dunmow, Essex, according to which a flitch of bacon would be awarded by the priory to a couple who could swear after a year of marriage that they had never had an argument or regretted getting married.
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:

     The bacon was nat fet for hem, I trowe, / That som men han in Essex at Dunmowe.

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

   • 1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XXXII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson;  […], →OCLC:

     Nor let the supposition of matrimonial differences frighten you: honey-moon lasts not now-a-days above a fortnight; and Dunmow flitch, as I have been informed, was never claimed; though some say once it was.

Proper noun

Dunmow

1. Both Great Dunmow and Little Dunmow; the former Dunmow railway station was in Great Dunmow.

Anagrams

• Downum