E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Caul.
The membrane on the heads of some new-born infants, supposed to be a charm against death by drowning.
1
To be born with a caul was with the Romans tantamount to our phrase, “To be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth,” meaning “born to good luck.” M. Francisque-Michel, in his Philologie-Comparée, p. 83, 4, says: “Calle, espèce de coiffure, est synonyme de coiffé,” and quotes the proverb, “Ste. Migorce! nous sommes nées coiffées.” (La Comédie des Proverbes, act ii. 4.)
