Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—K

Kettle

(A), a watch. A tin kittle is a silver watch. A red kittle is a gold watch. “Kettle,” or rather kittle, in slang language is a corrupt rendering of the words to-tick read backwards. (Compare Anglo-Saxon cetel, a kettle, with citel-ian, to tickle.)

Thor's great kettle.
The god Thor wanted to brew some beer, but not having a vessel suited for the purpose in Valhalla, stole the kettle of the giant Hymer. (Scandinavian mythology.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Kettle of Fish
Ketmir
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