FOLK LORE.
Lancashire May-day Custom.—On the 1st of May, the following custom is observed in some parts of Lancashire, though now very nearly obsolete.
Late on the preceding night, or early on that morning, small branches of trees are placed at the doors of houses in which reside any marriageable girls. They are emblematical of the character of the maidens, and have a well understood language of their own, which is rhythmical. Some speak flatteringly, others quite the reverse: the latter being used when the character of the person for whom it is intended is not quite "above suspicion."
A malicious rustic wag may sometimes put a branch of the latter description where it is not deserved, but I believe this is an exception.
I only remember a few of the various trees which are laid under contribution for this purpose. The following will illustrate what I am writing about. I must premise that wicken is the local name for mountain ash:
Wicken, sweet chicken.
Oak, for a joke.
Ash, trash.
Gorse in bloom—rhymes with at noon,
(I omit the epithet given here, as commonly, to an unchaste woman), and is used for a notorious delinquent.