Lameness

Lameness

See also Deformity.

Lamentation (See GRIEF.)

Byron, Lord

(1788–1824) limped because of his club foot. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 152]

Carey, Philip

schoolmates used his clubfoot as object of ridicule. [Br. Lit.: Of Human Bondage, Magill I, 670–672]

Giles, St.

patron of cripples; accidentally hobbled, refused cures. [Christian Hagiog.: Brewster, 392]

Henkies

trows (goblins) who limp when dancing. [Scot. Folk-lore: Briggs, 219–220]

Hephaestus

blacksmith god; said to have been lamed when ejected from Olympus by Zeus. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 121]

Mephibosheth

crippled in childhood when nurse dropped him. [O.T.: II Samuel, 4:4]

Oedipus

lamed by Laius with a spike through his feet in infancy. [Gk. Myth.: Benét, 730]

Porgy

crippled Negro beggar of Catfish Row. [Am. Lit.: Porgy, Magill I, 764–766]

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano

(1882–1945) 32nd president of U.S.; stricken with polio and confined to wheelchair. [Am. Hist.: NCE, 2355]

Tamerlane

(1336–1405) Mongol conqueror, his name a corruption of Timur i Long (Timur the Lame). [Asian Hist.: Benét, 985]

Tiny Tim

crippled son of Bob Cratchit. [Br. Lit.: A Christmas Carol]

Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.