A “scholarly tempest roared across Europe” in discussing the validity of St. Floradora’s role as a saint [St. Fidgeta & Other Parodies,82].
- Floradora: Lines Writ in Lava - article written by Father Tumpline [77]
- "Seinte - Ha!" - article written by Étienne Mougir [82]
- "Heilige - Ja!" - article written by Oswald Preiselbeersaft [82]
- "The Brothel as Sanctuary" - article by Dr. Plitheroe, in the Winter 1950 edition of Plethora [82]
- "How Would You Know" - title of Dr. Frostauger's letter (toward Dr. Plitheroe) in the Times Literary Supplement [82]
A tumpline is the strap passed around the forehead to help support a load on the back, and that "tump" is of possible Algonkian origin. "It's the sort of odd word John collected, many of which make amusing names," reminds Bowen.
Bowen's French dictionary has no words beginning with moug- so who's to say.
Myers notes the two articles are prime example of Bellairs' use of pseudo-German for maximum pomposity; translation "Saint, Ha!" and "Holy, yes!"
Preiselbeersaft means cranberry juice: "or if you wish, juice of the red bilberry or whortleberry, whatever they are. Preiselbeeren apparently grow in Austria, as my Deutsches Wörterbuch marks this word as coming from there," notes Bowen.
A plethora is an excessive amount or number of something; an older definition says it’s an excess of red blood cells.
