Joint-eater

In Celtic mythology, a Joint-eater is a type of fairy who sits invisibly and consumes half of their victim's food.[1]

It is also known as an Alp-luachra in Ireland. A man haunted by a joint-eater will never grow fat, because the pith or quintessence of the food is consumed by the fairy.[2] People who consume newts are thought to be plagued in this way.

A folk remedy states that to rid one's self of an Alp-Luachra, one should eat a large quantity of salt beef, without drinking anything, and then lay by a running stream with mouth wide open. After a long wait, the Alp-Luachra will become thirsty, and will jump into the stream to drink.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Briggs, Katharine Mary (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures. Pantheon Books. p. 243. ISBN 978-0-394-73467-5.
  2. ↑ Kirk, Robert; Lang, Andrew (28 December 2007) [1893]. The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies. Easy Reading Series. Aberfoyle, Scotland: Forgotten Books. p. 71..