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Things Not Generally Known: Sicily

Sicilian Vespers. A name given to a memorable massacre of the French, which began at Palermo, in Sicily, March 30th, 1282, at the hour of vespers on Easter Monday, and extended throughout the island. Sicily was at this time subject to Charles of Anjou, whose soldiers had made themselves hateful to the Sicilians. The result of the insurrection was that the authority of Charles was completely overthrown, and the islanders placed themselves under the protection of the king of Aragon. Silver Plate. Silver spoons, forks, etc., are called "plate," from plata, the Spanish word for silver.

Snooks. This name, commonly associated with vulgarity, is a contraction of the This town is called Se'noaks, and in further name of Sevenoaks, Kent. contraction has become S'nooks.

Spick and Span New. Cloth newly taken from the loom was laid out on spikes (hooks) and spanners (stretchers) to stretch it all equally, hence the phrase for a fresh piece of cloth being "spick and span new."