British vs. US spelling/phrases (SPOILER)

[Tim Regan]

Hi All,

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter Anne wrote:
> Yes, well, but, mild though it may be, what exactly does it mean? 

The Oxford English Dictionary lists it as follows:

----------

 1. A rag wrapped round the foot and worn inside a shoe, in place of 
a sock   

 2. A tramp or vagrant; a despicable or worthless person. Also 
attrib. 
 
  1875 T. FROST Circus Life & Circus Celebrities xvi. 278 Toe rags 
is another expression of contempt..used..chiefly by the lower grades 
of circus men, and the acrobats who stroll about the country, 
performing at fairs. 1903 `T. COLLINS' Such is Life (1937) v. 
229 `Come over to the wagon, and have a drink of tea,' says I. `No, 
no,' says he, `none of your toe-rag business.' 1912 D. H. LAWRENCE 
Let. (1962) I. 154 Remember, whatever toe-rag I may be personally, I 
am the person she livanted with. So you be careful. 1960 H. PINTER 
Caretaker I. 9 All them toe-rags, mate, got the manners of pigs. 
1971 `H. CALVIN' Poison Chasers xii. 168 Move, ya useless big 
toerag! 1978 M. KENYON Deep Pocket xiii. 165 Could she have loved 
this toe-rag sheikh out of the desert? 1980 J. WAINWRIGHT Tainted 
Man 171 The Law doesn't differentiate between you and the most 
miserable towrag [sic] on the face of the earth.
----------

Cheers,

Dumbledad.