Hello.
Yes, "midsomer" does exist. It's an old, alternate spelling of
"midsummer" (i.e., the summer solstice of June 21-24).
"Somer" is Old English for "summer."
See dictionary etymologies for "summer":
"Summer \Sum"mer\, n. [ OE . sumer, somer "
Source: hyperdictionary
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/summer
"Sum'mer ,n. [OE. sumer , somer ,"
Source: University of Chicago: Webster's Dictionary
http://machaut.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/WEBSTER.sh?WORD=Summer
As such, "midsummer" has sometimes been spelled "midsomer."
For example:
"Midsomer (Midsummer) or Litha, the summer solstice, 21st June approx.
"
Source: "What is Paganism, a factual overview", hosted by pipex.com
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/robotics1/pagan.htm
"Summer Solstice Ritual , This was a ritual to celebrate the longest
day, 'midsomer' 'litha' or midsummer, when the sun is highest in the
sky."
Source: ERCE, hosted by chebucto.ns.ca
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Religion/ERCE/Ercemeet.html
Examples of historical usage of the "midsomer" spelling:
From The Wardrobe Accounts of Edward IV: Part XXI (1480):
"the feste of Midsomer in the xx{ti} yere of the mooste noble reigne
of oure saide Souverain Lorde the King "
Source: Richard III Society
http://www.r3.org/bookcase/wardrobe/ward21.html
"nyne yeeres from Midsomer"
Source: Bedfordshire apprentices list (1600-1700), hosted by
Genuki.org.uk
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/BDF/Occupations/
search strategy: midsomer, midsummer, summer, somer
I hope this helsp |
