I found this on Google
Jan Aken RN IBCLC
Re: Witch's Tit
:
The simple explanation is that "colder than a witch's tit" is just a
vivid metaphor, like "hotter than the hinges of hell." Since a
witch is in league with Satan, presumably she has no maternal feelings.
Thus the medium by which she would suckle a child is,
well, cold as a witch's tit.
But there's some history behind this wisecrack. A witch's tit (or
witch's teat, to use the older spelling) supposedly left a marking
that witch hunters and courts would look for on the body of an accused
person. Supposedly, witches would suckle their
familiars, and sometimes the Devil himself, from this "unholy" body
part. To find these marks, as well as insensitive spots on the
skin called devil's marks--caused by the Devil's claws or teeth--the
suspects were stripped, shaven, then closely examined for
any blemishes, moles, or even scars that could be labeled as diabolical.
To find marks invisible to the eye, the examiner would
poke the victim inch by inch with a blunt needle (called a bodkin) until
they found a spot that didn't feel pain or bled. Discovery
of these marks or spots--one supposes they would be considered cold
since they were a sign of communion with the
Devil--would be "proof" of the person's dealings with Scratch, so they
would be shown in full court before the execution.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lactation Information and Discussion
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ellen Penchuk,
IBCLC
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 6:09 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Folklore
>
> This is probably considered off topic but....anyone know where the
> phrase, "cold as a withch's tit" comes from????
>
> Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC
> Freeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzing in the Northeast this morning!!
>
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