moonrakers
Nocturnal contraband fishers
Moonrakers is a nickname for people from Wiltshire, England, based on a folk tale about locals caught raking a pond at night.
When questioned by authorities, they claimed to be trying to retrieve the moon's reflection—a "cheese"—from the water.
Whether they were foolish or cleverly concealing smuggled contraband depends on who tells the story.
The term can imply rural simplicity or sly cunning.
Illegal goods transporters
- pondSmall still body
- cheeseFermented milk solid
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- customs officersEntry point inspectors
cunning · outwitting · legend · folklore · trickery · contraband · brandy · kegs
Prohibited trade goods
- brandySpirit from fermented fruit
- kegsSmall metal barrels
- customs officersEntry point inspectors
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
concealment · night · pond · hidden · illicit · bootleggers · rumrunners · smuggling
Ship's wind-catching fabric
- spinnakerDownwind sailing sail
- yachtLarge pleasure vessel
- regattaOrganized boat racing event
- racingSpeed competition sport
light wind · rigging · mast · canvas · halyard · crew · windward · tacking
Wiltshire market town
- SalisburyCathedral city in Wiltshire
- WestburyEnglish market town
- StonehengePrehistoric megalithic circle
- WessexEarly medieval English kingdom
Marlborough · dialect · county · nickname · locals
smugglers
Illegal goods transporters
- pondSmall still body
- cheeseFermented milk solid
- reflectionReturned light or thought
customs officers · cunning · outwitting · legend · folklore · trickery · contraband · brandy · kegs · hiding
contraband
Prohibited trade goods
- brandySpirit from fermented fruit
- kegsSmall metal barrels
- customs officersEntry point inspectors
clandestine · concealment · night · pond · hidden · illicit · bootleggers · rumrunners · smuggling · covert
sail
Ship's wind-catching fabric
light wind · racing · rigging · mast · canvas · halyard · crew · windward · tacking · keel
Swindon
Wiltshire market town
- SalisburyCathedral city in Wiltshire
- WestburyEnglish market town
- StonehengePrehistoric megalithic circle
moonrakersfools
Idiots or deceives
empty suits · all hat and no cattle · paper tigers · blowhards · poseurs