MDMD(1) Notes

[R ed Bug]

I believe Mr. Maas is correct here. "Rutabageous Anaemia" would be
"turnip-like anemia," as in trying to "squeeze blood out of a turnip,"
i.e., trying to get money from someone who doesn't have any. So
the phrase *does* mean impecunious.



On Tue, 10 Jun 1997, Steven Maas (CUTR) wrote:

> >From MDMD(1) Notes:
> > 33.20 `Rutabageous Anaemia' rutabago = the edible root of the swede
> > (rather like a turnip) so this must mean deep-rooted cowardice
> > (bloodlessness)?
> 
> I don't see cowardice being referenced here--I think the Screams Mason
> mentions refer to Dixon when informed Captain Smith expects "an hundred
> Guineas" from each of them for Victualing.
> 
> My best guess is a variant of "sqeezing blood from a turnip," i.e.,
> getting money from a person with little of it. 
> 
> 	Steve Maas
> 
>