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Old 4th August 2010, 06:58 PM   #2
Dmitry
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
and though it seems obvious that the pillow reference may have to do with 'hanging it on the bedpost at night' ...was that really the case?
The term 'pillow sword', to me, is an invention of some 20th century romantic historian.
The first mention of them that I've encountered was by Bashford Dean, but I can't be sure whether he invented the term or quoted someone else.
19th c. authors refer to the type as epee de ville, or a town sword, as opposed to the epee d'armes.
A.V.B. Norman writes that the so-called pillow swords were known at the time as scarf swords, spada corta, or spada di banda, because they were worn tucked in the waste sash.
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