Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: sandyreierson on 04/07/2008 09:41:09

Title: What is the origin of the saying "sitting on a jelly"?
Post by: sandyreierson on 04/07/2008 09:41:09

sandyreierson asked the Naked Scientists:

I'm desperate to find the meaning of the phrase "sitting on a jelly". I have searched throughout google with no luck.  it's used in a book i'm reading and I believe it is of Scottish origin.

Can you help?

What do you think?

Title: What is the origin of the saying
Post by: RD on 04/07/2008 16:13:57

In Scotland jelly or "jeely" is jam.  A jam sandwich is a "jeely piece".

So sitting on your jeely (piece) would be an upsetting event. This may be the origin of your phase.

http://www.roblightbody.com/scotland/scotlandjeely.htm

Title: What is the origin of the saying
Post by: turnipsock on 04/07/2008 16:34:43

...except Jelly is slightly different to Jam in Scotland.

Jelly is sieved through a Jelly Bag, I can remember my granny doing this with brambles since they contain a lot of seeds.

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.davidmellordesign.com%2Facatalog%2F81DHoopedjellybag_large.jpg&hash=f8afbf79fbeabbb238c37e1a682e966e)