Bobblehead Bob Blatantly Blasts Belligerent Bigots

ABC Wednesday is a word meme with participants from around the world. This fabulous meme was created and hosted by Mrs. Denise Nesbitt who hails from Great Britain. Over time, others have joined in to help host this wonderful and informative meme. We are now in our ELEVENTH round with 'Captain Roger' at the helm! Some of the participants have been with this from the very first round; others have joined in along the way. Each week we are taken across the globe to see the varied and exciting contributions people have taken the time to discover and capture. We start with the letter, "A" and each week we post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. This week's letter is, "B".

 BIRTHROOT

 (image from the altnature site)

Birthroot or berthroot:

"Properties: Trillium is edible and medicinal, it has a long history of use by Native Americans. The young edible unfolding leaves are an excellent addition to salad tasting somewhat like sunflower seeds. The leaves can also be cooked as a pot herb. The root is used as an alternative medicine and is antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue (to promote menstruation), and ophthalmic. The roots, fresh or dry, may be boiled in milk and used for diarrhea and dysentery. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in order to reduce swelling, or on aching rheumatic joints. The leaves were boiled in lard and applied to ulcers as a poultice, and to prevent gangrene. An infusion of the root is used in the treatment of cramps and a common name for the plant, ‘birthroot', originated from its use to promote menstruation. A decoction of the root bark can be used as drops in treating earache. Constituents found in the volatile and fixed oils are, tannic acid, saponin, a glucoside resembling convallamarin, sulphuric acid and potassium dichromate, gum, resin, and starch.
Folklore: Used to facilitate childbirth, and to treat other female problems by the women of many Native American tribes. Trillium root was considered to be a sacred female herb and they only spoke of it to their medicine women."
(taken from the altnature website-follow the link to read more about this).

BIRETTA

 (image from the Orbis Catholicus blog-no other attributes were given)

Biretta. Not to be confused with barrette. Or barrista.

Wikipedia describes it as: 

"a square cap with three or four peaks or horns, sometimes surmounted by a tuft. Traditionally the three peaked biretta is worn by Roman Catholic clergy and some Anglican and Lutheran clergy. The four peaked biretta is worn as academic dress by those holding a doctoral degree from a pontifical faculty or pontifical university. Occasionally the biretta is worn by advocates in law courts, for instance the advocates in the Channel Islands."

I guess it would be easy to remember that the three peaked one is associated with the church(es) since three represents the Holy Trinity.

Anyway, this is another new word for me. Such a silly hat, isn't it? Cue Rod Stewart singing, "You Wear It Well"!

 BLANCARD

 (image from: eco fashion site)

Blancard:  

Blan"card\, n. [F., fr. blanc white.] A kind of linen cloth made in Normandy, the thread of which is partly blanched before it is woven. 

I am not sure if the image I tracked down is an accurate depiction of said blancard. There certainly is a shortage of images in regards to this word. Perhaps any of those weavers in Normandy see this, they will post some images so that we know what it really should look like.