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Wilde

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A John or Johnny Wilde is one who wears himself to skin and bone to add house to house and barn to barn. The tale is that John Wilde, of Rodenkerchen, in the isle of Rügen, found one day a glass slipper belonging to one of the hill-folks. Next day the little brownie, in the character of a merchant, came to redeem it, and John asked as the price “that he should find a gold ducat in every furrow he ploughed.” The bargain was concluded, and the avaricious hunks never ceased ploughing morning, noon, nor night, but died within twelve months from over-work. (Rügen tradition.)

 

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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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Wild (Jonathan)
Wild Boar
Wild Boy of Hamelin
Wild Children
Wild-goose Chase
Wild Huntsman
Wild Oats
Wild Women [Wildë Frauën]
Wild Women
Wild as a March Hare
Wilde
Wile away Time (not While)
Wilfrid (St.)
Wilhelm Meister
Will not when They may
William
William L
Willie-Wastle (the child’s game)
Willow
Willow Garland
Willow Pattern