(usually RAW-HEAD and BLOODY-BONES) subs. phr. (old).A spectre; a scare-child (B. E., GROSE): also RAW-FLESH AND BLOODY-BONES.
1550. Jyl of Brentfords Testament. [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 524. The Devils secretary bears the name of BLOODDY-BONE whom we now couple with RAW-HEAD.]
[?]. Wyll of the Devyll [HALLIWELL]. Written by our faithful secretaryes, hobgoblen, RAWHED, AND BLODDY-BONE, in the spitefull audience of all the Court of hell.
1598. FLORIO, A Worlde of Wordes, s.v. Caccianemico, a bragging craking boaster, a bugbeare, a RAWE-FLESH AND BLOODIE BONE.
1622. FLETCHER, The Prophetess, iv. 4.
I was told before | |
My face was bad enough; but now I look | |
Like BLOODY-BONE, AND RAW-HEAD to fright children. |
1693. LOCKE, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, 138. Servants awe children, and keep them in subjection, by telling them of RAWHEAD AND BLOODY BONES.
1870. Figaro, 19 Oct. We have sometimes heard of a school of literature called The RAW-HEAD AND BLOODY-BONES School.