Explain this reference from Lords and Ladies to me

May 12, 2007 1:58 AM

There's a bit in Terry Pratchett's Lords and Ladies that's puzzled me ever since I read it. Spoiler, quote, and specific (possibly very silly, since it's not even mentioned in the annotations) question inside.

Near the end (on page 227 of my 281 page edition) we find out that Nanny Ogg has brought a horseshoe into the mound, even though they weren't supposed to be able to bring any iron with them there:

"Because I have iron," said Nanny, her voice suddenly sharp.

"Of course you have not, little Mrs. Ogg. No iron can enter this realm."

"I have the iron that goes everywhere," said Nanny.

She took her hand out of her apron pocket, and held up a horseshoe.

So, my question is, how did she bring it in with her? And why were they surprised that she did it? I know the bit about nailing a horseshoe over your door to ward off fairies; is it something to do with that? Does it "go everywhere" because you put them on horses?

It seems especially odd since earlier (p 117) Granny had said that the shape wasn't important; it was just a handy bit of iron with holes in it.

(Under "society and culture" because it seems like it's got to be some kind of folklore reference.)

posted by Many bubbles to society & culture (4 comments total)

Death can go anywhere. The horseshoe is one that Jason removed from Binky.
posted by Leon at 2:00 AM on May 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh! Okay, that makes sense. I hadn't made the connection... thanks!
posted by Many bubbles at 2:02 AM on May 12, 2007

I'm glad you asked that - I didn't get it either first time around. Right now I'm rereading all the Discworld books in order of publication, and it's really neat to catch all (or some) of the stuff I missed the first time.
posted by selfmedicating at 8:11 AM on May 12, 2007

I love to read the new ones, then the annotations, then some of the stuff ref'ed there, then read and reread again until I can get the audiobook. Like DNA's stuff each media (the BBC productions were _excellent_ abridged adaptations) brings something a little new - and it's all "gnarly ground" with bits to mull and pick over
posted by mce at 9:49 AM on May 12, 2007