E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Maidenhair
(a fern, so-called from its hair-like stalks) never takes wet or moisture.
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“His skin is like the herb called true Maiden’s hair, which never takes wet or moisture, but still keeps dry, though laid at the bottom of a river as long as you please. For this reason it is called Adiantos.”—Rabelais: Pantagruel, iv. 24.
