Re: Gig

Posted by Shae on August 31, 2002

In Reply to: Re: Gig posted by TheFallen on August 31, 2002

: : : : : By way of introduction, I've been told I'm a 'docent researcher' with the Hunt Museum in Limerick, Ireland. I'm other things too, but for the purpose of this query I'll settle for 'docent researcher.'

: : : : : I'm currently researching late medieval stone-carved figures popularly known as 'Sheela-na-gigs', and I'm trying to find the origin of the appellation. I have the various, and often conflicting, recent (19th-20th centuries) interpretations from Irish to English, and I'm aware of a record of a British naval vessel, HMS Shelanagig, being captured by the French in the Caribbean in 1781.

: : : : : So to my query, at long last! Sheela-na-gig? Does any erudite contributor know of a reference to the term, or something related, that can be dated to earlier than 1781?

: : : : What an excellent question! I did a little web-based research on the sheelas (about which/whom I previously knew precisely nothing), and was fascinated by the subject. I shan't bother quoting the various proposed explanations for the origins of the term, because I'm sure you're well ahead of me there. All of which is of no use to you whatsoever - but best of luck.

: : : Thanks anyway for the response. The big problem is the presumption that the term, especially the 'gig' component, is of Irish origin. I have a paper that suggests that 'gig, gigg, geig,' are old Scottish or English slang words for . . . ummm . . . THAT part of the female anatomy. If this is correct, it would make much more sense of the term 'Sheela-na-gig'. So, does anyone have access to a dictionary or several that lists any of these words? If so, I'd appreciate their earliest recorded usage.

: : gig - Noun. Origin unknown. 1. the vagina. 1698-99 "B.E." "Dict. Canting Crew: Gig.a Nose, also a Woman's Privities." From the "Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 1, A-G" by J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994.

: : In the notes in the front there is reference to "B.E., Gent, A New Dictionary of the Terms Ancient and Modern of the Canting Crew, in its Several Tribes of Gypsies, Beggars, Thieves, Cheats, &c., with the Addition of Some Proverbs, Phrases, Figurative Speeches, &c..London: Printed for W. Hawes at the Rose in Ludgate-Street (etc.), n.d. (1698-99). The first in a long line of cant-and-slang dictionaries..Though very brief, the definitions appear to be reliable. The identity of the compiler remains unknown."

: Well, and even though I continue to suspect you'll know all this already, for the melting-pot here's two of the more common (from what I can see) theories, plus another, pasted from a single website:-

: "The name "sheela-na-gig" was most likely derived from the Irish language. The two most common translations are "Sile na gCioch" ("sheela of the breasts") or "Sile-ina-Giob" ("sheela on her hunkers"). In the Encyclopedia of Sacred Sexuality, Rufus Camphausen notes that in Mesopotamia the term "nu-gug" ("the pure and immaculate ones") referred to the sacred temple harlots, and he postulates that the name may somehow have had its origins there."

: However, given what seems to be the primary defining feature of most sheela carvings, ESC's post seems most relevant. Now it'd be a question of finding the provenance of "gig" in its meaning of "vagina". On sheer gut-feel and nothing more, 5 pounds (or Euros, I suppose) will get you 10 that "gig" is a tansliteration of some older Irish term for the female genitals. Oh and as a final thought, should I expect that C18th British ship was so named because of the styling of its figurehead?

Thanks to both of you for your contributions! ESC's reference to the Canting Crew date is very valuable. I've asked a few of the younger Irish Travellers about the 'kyahnt,' but they say they've never heard of it. I geussed I missed my opportunity several years ago when one of the 'Queens,' who seemed to trust me, died before I knew enough to ask her things.

I dearly wish TheFallen hadn't suggested 'the styling on the figurehead!!' One of the proposed funtions of sheela's is apotropaic. W hat better device to have on a warship? I understand there are records of the courtsmarshal, but I haven't heard any mention of the ship's figurehead. Anybody know the address of a friendly person in the British Admiralty?