Scottish Country Dance of the Day

The saying 'in the buff' originated from the buff coloured coats worn by English soldiers up until the 17th century.   It's more recent meaning, a metaphor for "in the nude," references the buff color of skin tones. July 10th marks the alleged day of Lady Godiva's historic nude ride through Coventry, England, in 1040. Lady Godiva is said to have ridden through the streets of Coventry, covered only in her long hair, in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants. Although historians have not deemed the story plausible, Lady Godiva, Countess of Mercia and her husband were real personages of the 11th century, and by the 13th century, the famous story, with many embellishments, had entered regional folklore. The term "Peeping Tom" (for a voyeur) also originates from later versions of this legend, in which a tailor named Thomas, against the strict orders to avoid watching, issued in an advance pronouncement, cannot resist temptation and is struck blind or dead after viewing her passing though a chink in a window. Since the 17th century, a pageant has been held annually in Coventry to re-enact Lady Godiva's original route through the town. Today, this tradition has transformed into a three day music festival.