And yet he was a trewe persoun and a good, / And hated swearing, and was not so wood.
Canterbury Tales
General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales, describing the Parson. The phrase 'not so wood' (not so mad) is a subtly backhanded compliment, making it unusual and slightly 'weird' in its phrasing.
c. 1387-1400
Found in 1 providers: gemini
Cross Reference
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"She hadde passed many a straunge strem; / Hire hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, / Ful streite yteyd, and shoes ful moyste and newe."
Strange & Unusual"For if a man be ryche, he hath no drede, To have a wyf that is bothe fair and yong."
Controversial"Wel koude he rede a lessoun or a storie, / But al above that he koude singe."
Strange & Unusual"His nekke whit was as the flour-de-lys, Thereto strong he was as a champioun."
Humorous"A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne, / And therwithal he broghte us out of towne."
Strange & Unusual