A WOMAN who died almost 90 years ago is causing a stir online after a cemetery guide spotted a very colourful nickname on her headstone.
Eyebrows have been raised because beneath the name Edith Ethel Brown is the rarely-used epitaph “Tits”.
The incongruous appearance of the word on the headstone in Foster Hill Road Cemetery, Bedford, has prompted a flood of dubious jokes online.
But the woman who made the discovery, Samantha Perrin, has a more serious purpose – investigating how Edith came by her perky moniker.
The headstone reads: “In loving memory of Edith Ethel, (TITS), the dearly loving wife of William T.C Brown, who died August 16th 1928, aged 44 years.”
Beneath is inscribed: “‘AT REST’ also William Thomas Chessall Brown, called home December 17, 1936, aged 55 years.”
Edith and William’s wedding certificate revealed that the name “TITS” couldn’t relate to any middle names as her maiden name was Edith Ethel Millard.
Her obituary was published in The Bedfordshire Times stating Edith died “after a long illness”.
Samantha Perrin, a historic cemetery tour guide, was giving a talk at Foster Hill Road when staff drew her attention to the Edith’s gravestone.
She shared a snap of the discovery on Twitter asking “’So Edith, any thoughts about your epitaph?’
“’Oh, I dunno. Something classy yet understated…as long as it’s in brackets, it’ll be fine….’”
The post has since attracted thousands of likes, hundreds of re-tweets and dozens of comments from followers making jokes.
Neil Wilkes said: “Be careful of the uneven surface when you walk across the grave. There are a couple of trip hazards.
Stavros Medaliano wrote: “Seems to be an old term. So maybe Edith was blessed, and William was a cheerful chap.”
Sally Poyton said: “Pretty sure she was a double E!”
Dan Bullock wrote: “I dearly wish it said ‘Balls’ under William as well…”
Hilary Cockshaw said: “Oh. I want that on mine. It’ll be lovely for the kids!”
And one follower, known as 23rd Earl of Essex? @MDHerbage, joked: “She was a popular gal down the Dog and Duck.”
But Samantha and some other intrigued social media users have been delving into more serious reasons for the wording.
Tracey? @traceymoz wrote: “Presumably a nickname that didn’t mean then what it does now Or maybe it did …in which case this is epic.”
Nicola Brennan? @nnibhraonain said: “Is it not just short for ‘Edith’ or a kind of nickname based on it (that obviously wasn’t as funny as now)? The same way the name Elizabeth has lots of different variants.”
Niffer ?@fenifur said: “Some quite details WWI records for William, I was hoping she’d be (Tits) on one of the payment records, maybe she acquired the nickname later in life! A keen Ornithologist perhaps?”
Daniel Gee? @danieljgee wrote: “Apologies if this has been mentioned already, but imo I think it’s a nickname.
“Not sure if ‘tits’ was slang for anything other than the bird variety prior to the 1920’s? Great find though.”
Samantha replied to comments, writing: “I was taken to the grave by two of the lovely people involved at the cemetery. No idea about the back story.
“I’d not have noticed either until it was pointed out to me.
“I’m pleased so many are interested in the origins her possible nickname, it’s great.
“I love how this little mystery has turned into a mass detection exercise – I’m looking into Edwardian slang acronyms as we speak #TeamEdith.”
Samantha later added: “I like to imagine her knocking back neat gin while dancing on the bar. Wonder what she’d make of all this attention…”
Speaking today (thur), Samantha said: “I’ve been blown away by the reaction to Edith’s headstone and had felt a little guilty that I perhaps had framed it in the wrong light but am since delighted that so many people have expressed interest in finding out the origins of what we suspect is her nickname.
“I think we are looking at it from a 21st century point of view, and not a Victorian one.
“I suspect it’s either a variation of her first name. Perhaps a sibling couldn’t say Edith or just an affectionate nickname when the word had a different meaning. Either way, we need to get to the bottom of it.
“I would love to track down some relatives because the mystery of “Tits” needs to be solved!”
