E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Oats.
He has sown his wild oats. He has left off his gay habits and is become steady. The thick vapours which rise on the earth’s surface just before the lands in the north burst into vegetation, are called in Denmark Lok kens havre (Loki’s wild oats). When the fine weather succeeds, the Danes say, “Loki has sown his wild oats.”
