Cote-hardie

[petrusplancius]

I came across this in an anthology of bad verse, an extract from 'The Bride's Prelude' by D.G. Rossetti

Comments

[squid_ink]

'a close-fitting garment with sleeves, formerly worn by both sexes'

so the cote-hardie covers the coochie coochie?

time for a limerick!!

[petrusplancius]

Perhaps a limerick is the only suitable place for the word!

[malefica_v]

Plenty of historic recreationists make and wear cote-hardies without irony.

[petrusplancius]

But isn't historical recreation more fun if it is marked by a touch of irony?

[malefica_v]

Yeah, I think that's why they have internecine feuds in the lands of make-believe.

[kementari2]

I think women's cotehardies were usually longer, ankle-length or so. In this context, i.e. worn over the belt, I'd assume it was referring to an open, warm-weather layer worn over a lighter, belted cotehardie or kirtle (which in turn was worn over a shift). But in that case it might better be referred to as a surcote.

[petrusplancius]

Yes, I would picture a women's one as being longer.

[kementari2]

Correction: I meant a warm layer for cold weather.