E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Anthony.
Anthony (St.). Patron saint or swineherds, because he always lived in woods and forests.
1
St. Anthony’s Cross. The taucross, called a lace.
2
St. Anthony’s Fire. Erysip’elas is so called from the tradition that those who sought the intercession of St. Anthony recovered from the pestilential erysipelas called the sacred fire, which proved extremely fatal in 1089.
3
St. Anthony’s Pig. A pet pig, the smallest of the whole litter. St. Anthony was originally a swineherd, and, therefore, the patron saint of pigs.
called a lace.
