Flower boxes may be fairly common in the 21st century, and probably were before they were first noted in 1818, simply not known as such until then.
Flower arrangements are first mentioned in 1873.
Flower children is first heard in the hippie movement in 1967.
Flowerpots have been named since the 1590s.
Sunflowers were named from the 1560s, although they had been in Europe since 1510 and in Britain from 1590.
Sunflower state, more often known as Kansas, has only been known as such since 1881.
Wallflowers have been known as such since the 1570s. For more than two centuries it was known as a ‘wallfair’.
Cornflowers have only been known as such since the 1570s.
Mayflowers are first named as such around 1600, It has been used to refer to the hawthorn, lady’s smock, the marsh marigold, and several other plants blooming in the month of May. Of course the most famous Mayflower was the ship taking the first settlers to the New World, although this name was common to many vessels in the early 17th century.
Cauliflowers were originally known as cole florye or ‘flowered cabbage’, a direct translation of the Italian cavoli fiori from the 1590s. Not until 1907 did the term ‘cauliflower ear’ come to be used for the swollen ears of boxers.
Deflower – as in maidens and virgins – dates from the late 14th century. But the term had been in use for two centuries, used to describe ‘excerpts of the best pages of a book’. And if you can work out how the latter works – don’t bother writing to me.
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