Posted by Jenna on June 18, 1999 at 15:23:11 from cp16.telemedia.ca:
In Reply to: Re: Another unAmerican word - question posted by Woll on June 17, 1999 at 20:37:26:
Does anyone know whether 'loon' is used anywhere in The British Isles?
Shakespeare used it:
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-fac'd loon!
Where gott'st thou that goose look?
MACBETH. ACT V. SCENE III.
The reference to the goose makes me wonder if for Shakespeare, loons were birds as well as lunatics...
Jenna