Thursday 13 December 2018

A Year of Late Cornish Day 346


Trei Hansves Dedh Dogens ha Whegh

De Yow, terdhegves mis KevardhĂ».
Thursday, 13th December


Piw a veu an kensa stenoryon? Nei a wolyas Degol Picrous hedhyw. Thew an keth jorna ha’n Chewidden. A veu Picrous po Perran an kensa stener? Dres lycklod an eyl nan y gila. Ajwonys o sten nanj ew pel, dhort termynyow ancyent. Hanow stof/men stenys ew “cassiterite” dhort Grek coth “kassiteros” (ow styrrya sten). Ha hanow Roman rag sten o “stannum”. Rag hedna, sten o ajwonys solabres ken Picrous ha Perran. Soweth! Na fors! Kernow a gar sans po dew. Da o Perran ha Picrous dhe stenoryon, anjei a dhegemeras mona moy dhe Chewidden. Spenys ova war wires, rag hedna an lavar “maga medhow avel Perraner”.  
Who was the first tinner? We celebrated Picrous Day today. It’s the same day as Chewidden (White Thursday). Was Picrous or St Piran the first tinner? More than likely neither one nor the other. Tin was known for a long time, from ancient times. The name of tin ore is cassiterite from the ancient Greek kassiteros (meaning tin). And the Roman name for tin was “stannum”. Therefore, tin was already known before Picrous and St Piran. Oh dear! No matter! Cornwall loves a saint or two. Tinners liked St Piran and Picrous, they received extra money on Chewidden. It was spent on alcohol, hence the saying “as drunk as a Perraner”.

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