ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

To-day's interesting word is......Scutcheon.

In his famous poem The Old Bush School, John 'Brien says that he was " a blur upon the scutcheon of the old bush school "

Scutcheon is the archaic spelling of escutcheon. To be a blur on the scutcheon is to be a stain on the reputation or character. The word scutcheon ( escutcheon ) refers to a shield with a coat of arms, so the scutcheon of the school is the school badge or crest. It derives from a latin word scutum, which was the roman legionary's battle shield.

My old school badge ( Homebush Boys' High ) was simply the letter H surrounded by a laurel wreath and topped with the British royal crown. Underneath was a banner with the latin words Recte et Fortiter, which means Integrity and Courage.

Was I a blur on the scutcheon of my old school ? well....

Now that you mention it I believe there were some that might say you were. But then again who is to say they were right or wrong

sorry mate but you asked.

Bill I was hoping you would say, that surely I was an exemplary scholar.

I worked in the motor vehicle industry for 14 years Nev and an escutcheon was the inner cup of a car door handle.


Bob

I love the old escutcheons that used to be part of the door hardware on old houses - sadly not seen much these days I used it in my Ode to a Queenslander Poem that I wrote about the old Queensland style of homes here in Ipswich. In the case of doors it relates to the rounded disc that flips over the keyhole protecting it from dust and water presumably thus ensuring the lock doesn't seize up. I reckon they are a sensible idea and you can still get them I think but they are not common

I am not a fan of modern, give me style and grace each time.
Show me workmanship and quality each day.
For the modern trends and colours are as mundane as they come
and each new home has the same things on display.
When you see a graceful Queenslander, with verandahs all round,
it begs one to sit and rest in deep cool shade.
With French doors and bull nose roofing, brass escutcheons, lace pergolas.
Everything points out it was by tradesman made.


It's a great word isn't it

Bob Pacey wrote:I worked in the motor vehicle industry for 14 years Nev and an escutcheon was the inner cup of a car door handle.


Bob

And "recte" was what you said if it was buggered

Now Marty this is an intellectual discussion.

Correct Bob. Plates with emblems, Maureen's key hole plates, car door handle plates all relate to the idea of a shield.

Nice little poem Maureen.

No it was a long and probably boring poem Neville - this was but one verse but thank you.

That is very interesting Neville, most of the switchboards I work on...(Worked on..) have an escutcheon panel, it refers to the panel that "shields" the components from personnel accessing the components, they generally have control switches and indicators mounted on them, but have to be removed or opened to access the working components and wiring.
I have never bothered to find out why they called them that but now I know!....thanks....

That's good Ross. And my other motive for posting is that people might now hear John O'Brien's poem The Old Bush School, with a new understanding.