Gormogons
Encyclopedia
Formed by expelled Freemason Philip Wharton, the Ancient Noble Order of the Gormogons was a short-lived 18th century society
which left no records or accomplishments to indicate its true goal and purpose. From the group's few published articles it is thought that the society's primary objective was to hold up Freemasonry
to ridicule. During its brief existence it was accused of being a Jacobite
-leaning group. There is some evidence of such an association, since the first known Grandmaster (or Oecumenical Volgi) was Andrew Michael Ramsay
of Ayr
, Scotland
, a Jacobite of strong convictions. It also appears to have been a charitable organization, at least according to its surviving bylaws. There are also some surviving pendant badges, bearing their sign.
and dragon
, while the Oxford English Dictionary describes the etymology as "meaningless: pseudo Chinese."
In The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, the word gormagon was humorously defined thus: "A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses [penises], and a cunt upon its back." The compiler Francis Grose
gave the game away in his dictionary entry by explaining that it was "a man on horseback, with a woman behind him". (His "five legs on one side" description is easily explained – the woman was riding side-saddle.)
. Beginning with the season 3 premiere, "The Widow's Son in the Windshield", the Jeffersonian team investigated a cannibalistic serial killer they call The Gormogon
, for his obsession with secret societies and his targeting of the Knights of Columbus
. In the season 3 finale, "The Pain In The Heart", the Gormogon's apprentice is revealed.
Gormogon is also mentioned as an appropriate name for a gargoyle in "Imperfect Hosts", part of the first volume of The Sandman, "Preludes & Nocturnes" [pg 69].
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
which left no records or accomplishments to indicate its true goal and purpose. From the group's few published articles it is thought that the society's primary objective was to hold up Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
to ridicule. During its brief existence it was accused of being a Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
-leaning group. There is some evidence of such an association, since the first known Grandmaster (or Oecumenical Volgi) was Andrew Michael Ramsay
Andrew Michael Ramsay
Andrew Michael Ramsay , commonly called the Chevalier Ramsay, was a Scottish-born writer who lived most of his adult life in France. He was a Baronet in the Jacobite Peerage....
of Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, a Jacobite of strong convictions. It also appears to have been a charitable organization, at least according to its surviving bylaws. There are also some surviving pendant badges, bearing their sign.
Possible etymology of the name
Donovan Hill suggests in Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang that, in the form gormagon, the word is a blend of gorgonGorgon
In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful." While descriptions of Gorgons vary across Greek literature, the term commonly refers to any of three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a...
and dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
, while the Oxford English Dictionary describes the etymology as "meaningless: pseudo Chinese."
In The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, the word gormagon was humorously defined thus: "A monster with six eyes, three mouths, four arms, eight legs, five on one side and three on the other, three arses, two tarses [penises], and a cunt upon its back." The compiler Francis Grose
Francis Grose
Francis Grose was an English antiquary, draughtsman, and lexicographer. He was born at his father's house in Broad Street, St-Peter-le-Poer, London, son of a Swiss immigrant and jeweller, Francis Jacob Grose , and his wife, Anne , daughter of Thomas Bennett of Greenford in Middlesex...
gave the game away in his dictionary entry by explaining that it was "a man on horseback, with a woman behind him". (His "five legs on one side" description is easily explained – the woman was riding side-saddle.)
Media reference
The Gormogons have been referenced in the TV show BonesBones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
. Beginning with the season 3 premiere, "The Widow's Son in the Windshield", the Jeffersonian team investigated a cannibalistic serial killer they call The Gormogon
The Gormogon
Gormogon is a fictional character featured in a story arc of the third season of the FOX drama Bones.-Background and development:Gormogon was introduced as a cannibalistic serial killer in the third season premiere, "The Widow's Son in the Windshield", and has made appearances in the form of teeth...
, for his obsession with secret societies and his targeting of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
. In the season 3 finale, "The Pain In The Heart", the Gormogon's apprentice is revealed.
Gormogon is also mentioned as an appropriate name for a gargoyle in "Imperfect Hosts", part of the first volume of The Sandman, "Preludes & Nocturnes" [pg 69].