Oignons dʹEgypte

The flesh-pots of Egypt. Hence “regretter les oignons dʹEgypte,” to sigh for the flesh-pots of Egypt, to long for luxuries lost and gone.

Je plume oignons. I scold or grumble. Also peler des oignons in the same sense. A corruption of hogner, to scold or grumble.

“Grifon. Que fais-tu là?

Braynault. Je plume ongnons.”

La Quarte Journéc du Mistere de la Passion.

“Pas ne savoit ongnons peler.”

Villon: Ballade ii.

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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.