Not P but Moby-Dick (21)

[Mike Jing]

There may indeed be a connection. The first quote in OED for hoedown:

As to dancing, no Long-Island negro could shuffle you ‘double trouble’, or
‘hoe corn and dig potatoes’ more scientifically.
*Salmagundi; or, The whim-whams and opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq.,
and others* • 1st edition, 24 Jan. 1807–25 Jan. 1808.


On Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 9:21 PM Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Also from Chapter 40:
>
> LONG-ISLAND SAILOR.
> Well, well, ye sulkies, there’s plenty more of us. Hoe corn when you may,
> say I. All legs go to harvest soon. Ah! here comes the music; now for it!
>
> The Norton Critical Edition says this is "A call to a hoedown, or a square
> dance." Does "hoe corn" have anything to do with hoedown?
>
> Also, what does "All legs go to harvest soon" mean here?
>
>