Word meaning.

[chinadog]

In the old song..Its a long way to Tipperary during ww1 the name Lucifer to light a fag is mentioned. What was it? A lighter or match? TIA.

[grasscarp]

a match
The use of the term Lucifer to indicate a match might stem from the Greek name for Lucifer, Phosphoros, because of the use of the chemical Phosphorus in producing matches.

[chinadog]

Thanks grass, Makes sense now:-))

[swedeheart]

Hi China. Adding on from grasscarp's reply, lucifer means light-bringing (or light-carrying to be precise). Says here (Wikipedia) matches are still called lucifers in the Netherlands. Nice innit, I think I'll start calling them that from now on.

[grasscarp]

And the name Lucy also means light. (and I should know!)

[swedeheart]

Yep. Up north (in Scandinavia, that is) we even like to set ourselves on fire (more or less) on Saint Lucy's day