When flies first began to plague meat and fish in spring, Bedfordshire people said they had been to Elstow fair to buy their bellows. The saying came from the timing of the fair at Elstow, held on 3 May Old Style, which had become 15 May. Hone’s correspondent reported it as a common saying in many parts of the county.
The flies go to Elstow fair
15 May · Bedfordshire
Lore and belief
It is a common saying in many parts of Bedfordshire, when flies first begin to be troublesome on meat, fish, &c., that "the flies have been to Elstow fair to buy their bellows."
From Hone's Year Book, col. 1596. Read the original
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