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A nosegay is a small flower bouquet that is usually given as a gift. Having existed since medieval times at least, the nosegay used to be worn around the head or bodice, or simply carried. The term ‘nosegay’ is the result of ‘gay’ meaning ‘ornament’ in Middle English. A ‘nosegay’ thus means an ornament which appeals to the nose. Nosegays became a popular fashion accessory during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901) and became known as ‘tussie-mussie’s. Often tussie-mussies were used to send a message to the recipient as floral symbolism boomed during the Victorian era.

The famous child’s nursery rhyme ‘ring a ring a roses, a pocket full of posies’ in fact derives from the Black Death which saw people walking around with their noses and mouths covered by posies to prevent them breathing in the bad airs they believed caused one to catch the plague. Though you definitely don’t need a nosegay for such purposes nowadays, you can still ask florists to make one up for you if you wish.