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What does 'wabe' mean in Jabberwocky?

Answer:

Lewis Carroll defined 'wabe' on two separate occasions, and gve two separate meanings.

`And "the wabe" is the grass-plot round a sun-dial, I suppose?' said Alice

`Of course it is. It's called "wabe," you know, because it goes a long way before it, and a long way behind it -- '

`And a long way beyond it on each side,' Alice added.

Lewis Carroll (1871)

WABE: (derived from the verb to 'swab' or 'soak') "the side of a hill" (from its being soaked by the rain)

Lewis Carroll (1855)

This demonstrates that the meanings in the poem Jabberwocky are not absolute, but are open to interpretation.

First answer by MisoSoup. Last edit by MisoSoup. Contributor trust: 104 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 3 [recommend question].

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