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Derivation of the name for dogwood
I did a Google search and came up with the following information about the
name "dogwood." I'd give the address of the site, but the computer has suddenly developed a stomach ache. The Dogwood Legend According to legend, the dogwood once grew as tall and mighty as the oak. For that reason, it was chosen as the tree on which Jesus Christ was crucified. As the legend goes, the dogwood, forever ashamed of its duty, begged Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus took pity on the poor tree and decided that forevermore the dogwood would be slender and twisted so that its wood could never again be used for a cross. He also shaped the dogwood's blossoms into the form of a cross. In the center of each bloom is a crown of thorns, and on each of its petals are nail prints stained with red. As for how the dogwood got its name, one explanation is that dog owners once made a tonic from the bark to wash their pets. A more likely derivation comes from the Old English term doggerwood, meaning "a stick once used to skewer meats." I knew about the legend, but does anyone know any other logical explanation for the name? John |
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