BONFIRE, i know what the word means but why BONfire?

Question

I was wondering what the word bonfire means, if you look in the dictionary it says large garden fire, but why BONfire?

Answer 1

the word originates
from 'bone pyre'
a cremation ceremony
and celebration of the dead

Answer 2

The BoneFyres went out of vogue centuries ago, bonfires are a new innovation with a different etymology entirely.

They started with large social get-togethers in the Fall, and someone noticed that it was cold and built a fire to warm themselves. They started announcing that there would be such a fire for warming at such outdoor parties in the colder months, but it didn't take long for the name to be changed from "Bun Fires" to "Bonfires".

Answer 3

According to Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary, it derives from bone fire - a fire on which bones were burnt.
Sounds sinister - especially when combined with the thought of Guy Fawkes on Bonfire Night!!

According to Brewer's DIctionary of Phrase and Fable: there were three types of fire "In the worship of Saint John, the people...made three manner of fire: one was of clean bones and no wood, and that is called a bonefire; another of clean wood and no bones, and that is called a woodfire...and the third is made of wood and bones, and is called "St John's fire" (1499)"

Also, "In some parts of Lincolnshire...they make fires in the public streets.. with the bones of oxen, sheep, etc..heaped together.. hence came the origin of bonfires" - Leland 1552.
However, Brewer also says that it might be from "boon" - a fire expressive of joy, or "beacon" . The Wlesh word "ban" means "lofty" and the Norwegian "baun" means a beacon.

So: bones, boons, or beacons.....take your pick!

Answer 4

I don't know maybe it is from the French word for good [bon]. That kinda makes sense because it's usually a campfire so that would be Good Fire [I really don't know though that's just a guess]

Answer 5

It's from the middle English "bone fire", meaning a fire with bones for fuel.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

It's from old english bonefyre. people burned bones after using the meat to get a kind of fertilizer. Thats total bullocks but it could be true,english is pretty strange.

Answer 8

Id go with Mr luckys answer spud,I think most of these are just making it up as they go along !! xxx

Answer 9

Bon means good BON fire means a good fire

Answer 10

I guess the French just liked the idea a lot.