| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Bachelor’s Buttons. | | |
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Several flowers are so called. Red Bachelor’s Buttons, the double red campion; yellow Bachelor’s Buttons, the “upright crowfoot”; white Bachelor’s Buttons, the white ranunculus and white campion. | 1 |
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“The similitude these flowers have to the jaggod cloath buttons anciently worne … gave occasion … to call them Bachelour’s Buttons.”—Gerard: Herbal. |
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Or else from a custom still sometimes observed by rustics of carrying the flower in their pockets to know how they stand with their sweethearts. If the flower dies, it is a bad omen; but if it does not fade, they may hope for the best. | 2 |
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To wear bachelor’s buttons. To remain a bachelor. (See above.) | 3 |
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