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Knots of May

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The children’s game. “Here we go gathering nuts of May” is a perversion of “Here we go gathering knots of May,” referring to the old custom of gathering knots of flowers on May-day, or, to use the ordinary phrase, “to go a-Maying.” Of course, there are no nuts to be gathered in May.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Knights of the Stick
Knights of the Thistle
Knights of the Whip
Knighten Guild
Knipperdollings
Knock Under (To)
Knocked into a Cocked Hat
Knockers
Knot
Knot and Bridle (A)
Knots of May
Knotted Stick is Planed (The)
Knotgrass
Knout
Know Thyself
Know the Fitting Moment
Know Your Own Mind
Know-Nothings
Knows which Side his Bread is Buttered (He)
Knowledge-box (Your)
Knox’s Croft