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    Why is the phrase "lily-livered" associated with cowardice?

    Question #51558. Asked by mibmob. (Oct 09 04 6:19 AM)


    TabbyTom

    		“Lily-livered” is a variant on “white-livered.” A light-coloured liver, according to the OED, was “supposed to be due to a deficiency of bile or ‘choler’, and hence of vigour, spirit, or courage.” According to Brewer, the superstition was that the liver of a coward contained no blood.

    Also, according to Brewer, for the ancient augurs and soothsayers who read omens in the entrails of sacrificial animals, a pale-coloured loiver in a sacrificed animal was an omen of defeat.


    Oct 09 04, 10:43 AM

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