In Fife mining communities a burn on the skin was thought to be cured by holding the afflicted body part close to a flame. The fire was supposed to “draw oot the heat” from the burn.
Simpkins, J.E., MacLagan, R.C., and D. Rorie (1914) County Folklore Vol. VII. – Examples of printed folk-lore concerning Fife with some notes on Clackmannan and Kinross-shires. Sidgewick and Jackson, London. pg. 408
BUTTOCKMAIL. n. fine paid to the kirk for intercourse outside of wedlock. Like BLACKMAIL, but for buttocks.
“Wi ruefu face and signs o grace / I paid the buttock-hire”
Robert Burns – The Fornicator
Burns would’ve paid his buttockmail to the Tarbolton Kirk in about 1785.
On St Valentine’s Eve (13th Feb) single folk drew names to find out who their sweetheart was to be for the ENTIRE YEAR
Perhaps related, Valentine’s Day cash lotteries were commonplace throughout the 19th C.
Yestreen at the Valentine’s dealing,
Robert Burns, Tam Glen.
My heart to my mou gied a sten;
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written–Tam Glen.
