Just for fun. The curious caster

davethesax · Sep 25, 2013

G.’Day All. How did caster become a word meaning chrysalis of bluebottles

and other flies? Out of curiosity I tried to look up the word on the net and in the Collins English Dictionary but no mention of it in this context. Could if relate to the act of casting a line? Anyone know how old this term is?

Regards, to all

chub_on_the_block · Sep 25, 2013

Great question. I have no idea!

sam vimes · Sep 25, 2013

I've no idea why anglers refer to fly chrysalis as a caster any more than why the whole world calls the pupae a maggot. However, I'd be distinctly dubious about anyone claiming a connection between casters and casting.

Peter Jacobs · Sep 25, 2013

The only reference I've ever seen was from the early Nottingham anglers who referred to maggots that had turned as a "caster" as in you needed to "cast them away" (cast as in chuck) as they would float and were considered no good anymore as a bait.

I certainly cannot find any written reference to verify this though.

aebitim · Sep 25, 2013

A very gentle question, perhaps caste in stone?

tikka · Sep 25, 2013

I believe any insect that develops in a cocoon,is called a caster because when it emerges from the cocoon it is said to cast (as in cast off) its shell. Hence it is deemed a caster until it has cast its shell.

barbelboi · Sep 25, 2013

Also why were maggots called gentles for hundreds of years?

Peter Jacobs · Sep 25, 2013

barbelboi said:
Also why were maggots called gentles for hundreds of years?

. . . . . . . That is simples, its because they were not Jewish . . . .

Doh!

dorsetandchub · Sep 25, 2013

You can't get Jewish maggots cos Israel has a no fly zone all around it

peter crabtree · Sep 25, 2013

I believe Tikka is correct on the caster origin. Gentles I believe were so called when they were used by surgeons to eat rotting or infected flesh from wounds. They didn't cause any discomfort to the patient because they ate the flesh gently....

Peter Jacobs · Sep 25, 2013

dorsetandchub said:
You can't get Jewish maggots cos Israel has a no fly zone all around it

. . . . so they are not kosher?

Who'd have thunk that . . . . . .

aebitim · Sep 25, 2013

The chrysalis phase is caste, after it castes it removes [CASTS] off its shell, not sure if caste is anything to do with casters though.

S-Kippy · Sep 25, 2013

dorsetandchub said:
You can't get Jewish maggots cos Israel has a no fly zone all around it

Bloody Hell Phil....do you spend all day working on these ?

Be there in 10 minutes.

Tee-Cee · Sep 25, 2013

As a young chap we always bought 'chrysalis' from Frames tackle shop in Hendon (I'm talking 50+ years ago)...........never knew them as 'casters' at that time.

No idea when the name changed..

S-Kippy · Sep 25, 2013

Tee-Cee said:
As a young chap we always bought 'chrysalis' from Frames tackle shop in Hendon (I'm talking 50+ years ago)...........never knew them as 'casters' at that time.

No idea when the name changed..

Yes...they were always chrysalis when I was a boy then all of a sudden they were caster. I can't remember when this happened but I would guess early 70's.

Tee-Cee · Sep 25, 2013

Perhaps Ivan Marks had something to do with it.....'caster' sounds more of an Ivan word than chrysalis for some reason

I just hope I can sleep tonight.........................need to be bright as I'm after those elusive roach again starting at 6.30 ish..

Maybe I should pray harder..

barbelboi · Sep 25, 2013

Tee-Cee said:
Perhaps Ivan Marks had something to do with it.....'caster' sounds more of an Ivan word than chrysalis for some reason

I just hope I can sleep tonight.........................need to be bright as I'm after those elusive roach again starting at 6.30 ish..

Maybe I should pray harder..

Make sure you use the right pellet...............

Tee-Cee · Sep 26, 2013

Give it time Gerry, give it time........

I'm on the case though!

binka · Sep 26, 2013

I reckon you're all wrong and it's called a caster because it's an anagram of recast... something I always seem to be doing when fishing with 'em and getting "shelled" by lighting fast, mini roach!

jack sprat · Sep 26, 2013

Lancashire dialect - maggots that have turned to chrysalis have 'cast' hence casters.

Just for fun. The curious caster

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