Long, long ago, in a faraway land, during a holy festival, a rakish young man watched with obvious delight as a group of young ladies danced around a large cross, winding colourful streamers about it in a ceremony that surely must have predated the Maypole dance. He had had thoroughly pleasurable intimate relations with every one of them.

He edged his way toward the circle of dancers. After a while he could no longer restrain himself. He patted each round fanny as it went by, and even gave several resounding swats to his favourites.

The village elders promptly hauled him before the parish priest, where he was accused of public immorality, found guilty, and banished to the remotest corner of the duchy.

This little incident gave rise to a saying which has come down to our times in a garbled veersion. DON’T SWAT WHORES WHILE STREAMING A CROSS.