witch’s tongue

witch’s tongue CULTURE, RELIGION AND BELIEF, LINGUISTICS — A saying based on folkenlore belief. “Witch’s tongue” is a common phrase, particularly in rural regions, which refers to the folkenlore belief that if one removes a witch’s tongue and keeps it, the witch will no longer be able to curse or otherwise trouble them. Though it is rooted in superstition, the most common uses of the phrase now are primarily metaphoric. For example, if someone owes a fellow a large sum of money which he cannot pay, a friend may say, “Well yeh may as well take the witch’s tongue of it,” (or the witch’s portion, in some regions) a phrase which implies an undesirable course of action may be necessary to pay off the debt (i.e. servitude). The general idea here is that a tough thing cannot be concluded until after it is started. Another use of the phrase is simply stating “he has the witch’s tongue,” or more simply, “he’ll have the tongue” (or similar variations). The suggestion here is that some difficult and perhaps dangerous task must be done, but the end of it will “pay off” (or justify the discomfort). Metaphorical uses aside, the belief that a witch’s tongue prevents a witch from hexing the holder of the tongue is common among the → folken.