[HPforGrownups] Boggarts, was Re: Susan Cooper (OT)

[Amanda Lewanski]

No: HPFGUIDX 6357

machenback at hotmail.com wrote:

> Hi,I'm delurking for a moment to add that according to the Oxford
> Dictionary of English Folklore, a "Dobby" is an alternative name for
> a Brownie in parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire.The same book also has
> the "House Elf" description of Brownies although it specifies that in
> some versions of folklore  they will disappear if given new clothes
> rather than any old thing.

I *knew* I'd heard Dobby before. Thanks. The obvious echoes of the shoemaker
and the elves haven't been mentioned (that I've seen) so I will...the little
hardworking elves, who are apparently freed (in their own estimation) by the
gift of clothes....

And brownies weren't all nice; didn't you have to set out "sweet milk" for
them and other such propitiation, lest they do unkind things (like make the
cows go dry, tangle up the horses' manes, etc.)....?

Just rambling, been up late with a sick little one.

--Amanda