It was utilised by someone who was sometimes referred to as a 'swan' and is a famed title of a novel written by someone who was once declared 'unfair' by critics. Derived from the Romans, it came as an admonition and specifically if the sinister one was responsive. What is it, and who were the 'authors'?

lanfranco

"By the pricking of my thumbs" is part of a line in "Macbeth" (Act 4, scene i) and also the title of a novel by Agatha Christie. Shakespeare was called "The Swan of Avon" by Ben Jonson. This colorful image is derived from an ancient Roman belief that a pricking sensation in the left thumb was a very bad omen. Incidentally, author Ray Bradbury used the second half of the Shakespeare line, "Something wicked this way comes," as the title of one of his books: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/By_the_Pricking_of_My_Thumbs Jul 01 06, 9:30 AM

peasypod

Yes indeedy, ma'am. And do you know what pathetic scenario may have inspired this one? It has to do with a bottle of plonk and a very sharp waiter's friend. Jul 01 06, 6:11 PM

lanfranco

Bottles of plonk usually result in very embarrassing scenarios. Are you sure you want to tell us about it? Jul 01 06, 6:17 PM

peasypod

I don't drink the plonk, I just open them, about 70 bottles a night, and well, this one slipped while I was, um, checking out the view somewhere else... Jul 01 06, 7:15 PM

lanfranco

Oh. I do think I see .... Jul 01 06, 7:45 PM

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