Join FunTrivia for Free: Hourly trivia games, quizzes, community, and more!
Fun Trivia
Ask FunTrivia: Questions and Answers
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


Who, or what, is Stinking Billy?

Question #133060. Asked by romeomikegolf.
Last updated Oct 27 2013.
Originally posted Oct 27 2013 12:50 AM.

avatar
parrotman2006 star
Answer has 2 votes
parrotman2006 star
19 year member
346 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
Two stories:

It is the Scottish name for the flower "Sweet William."
OR
The Scots sometimes refer to the noxious ragwort, not Dianthus barbatus, as "Stinking Billy" in memory of the infamous Duke

It goes back to the Battle of Culloden in 1746, in which the forces of Prince William, Duke of Cumberland massacred Scotsmen.

link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianthus_barbatus
link http://www.wildyorkshire.co.uk/naturediary/docs/diary00/diary20001008.html


Oct 27 2013, 2:08 AM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion