From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Small flower bouquet tied at the base
A
nosegay
,
posy
, or
tussie-mussie
is a small
flower bouquet
, typically given as a gift. They have existed in some form since at least
medieval
times, when they were carried or worn around the head or bodice.
[1]
Doilies
are traditionally used to bind the stems in these arrangements. Alternatively, "posy holders", available in a variety of shapes and materials (although often silver), enable the wearing of these arrangements "at the waist, in the hair, or secured with a brooch".
[2]
The term
nosegay
arose in fifteenth-century
Middle English
as a combination of
nose
and
gay
(the latter then meaning "ornament"). A
nosegay
is, thus, an ornament that appeals to the nose or nostril.
[3]
[4]
The term
tussie-mussie
(also
tussy-mussy
) comes from the reign of
Queen Victoria
(1837?1901), when the small bouquets became a popular
fashion accessory
. Typically, tussie-mussies include floral symbolism from the
language of flowers
, and therefore may be used to send a message to the recipient.
[5]
In modern times the term specifically refers to small bouquets in a conical metal holder, or the holder itself, particularly when used at a
white wedding
.
[6]
[7]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
Look up
nosegay
in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.