Jenny Greenteeth
Encyclopedia
Jenny Greenteeth is a figure in English folklore
. A river hag
, similar to Peg Powler
, she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown them. She was often described as green-skinned, with long hair, and sharp teeth. She is called Jinny Greenteeth in Lancashire
, but in Cheshire
and Shropshire
she is called Ginny Greenteeth, Jeannie Greenteeth, Wicked Jenny, or Peg o' Nell.
She is likely to have been an invention to frighten children from dangerous waters similar to the Slavic Rusalka
, the Kappa in Japanese mythology, or Australia's Bunyip
, but other folklorists have seen her as a memory of sacrificial practices.
A similar figure in Jamaican folklore is called the River Mumma (River Mother). She is said to live at the fountainhead of large rivers in Jamaica sitting on top of a rock, combing her long black hair with a gold comb. She usually appears at midday and she disappears if she observes anyone approaching. However, if an intruder sees her first and their eyes meet, terrible things will happen to the intruder.
The name is also used to describe pondweed or duckweed, which can form a continuous mat over the surface of a small body of water, making it misleading and potentially treacherous, especially to unwary children. With this meaning the name is common around Liverpool
and south west Lancashire
fantasy film Legend
.
Jenny Green Teeth (note the words are separated) is the title character in a book of short stories, Jenny Green Teeth and Other Short Stories (Palmerston North: Totem Press, 2003. ISBN 0958244634), by New Zealand-born English writer and Scholar Joel Hayward
.
Jenny Green Teeth is also the main subject of a poem, "Welsh Maiden," by Joel Hayward
in his collection, Lifeblood: A Book of Poems (Palmerston North: Totem Press, 2003. ISBN 0958244618).
Jenny Greenteeth was mentioned in the book The Land of the Silver Apples
, by Nancy Farmer.
Jenny Greenteeth made an appearance in the Hellboy
short story Hellboy: The Corpse.
She also made an appearance in English novelist Terry Pratchett
's 2003 The Wee Free Men
as well as Christopher Golden
's 2006 The Myth Hunters.
Jenny Greenteeth is one of the leading characters in London Falling
, a short story in 2000AD.
The English comedian Dave Spikey
mentions Jenny Greenteeth in his stand up act though he was told she would come up through the cracks in the pavement and suck out their bone marrow if you stayed out after dark.
Jenny Greenteeth makes an appearance in the fictional children's story "Nellie Longarms will get you if you don't watch out".
Jenny Greenteeth features as one of the mythical animated creatures in 'Rumpus Mansion', a haunted house attraction at the Isle of Wight theme park, Blackgang Chine.
In Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Jenny Greenteeth appears in the form of a beautiful young woman, the handmaiden of Maeve
, Winter Lady and youngest of the Unseelie Queens of Faerie.
The first issue of the comic book anthology PopGun contains a story called "Jenny Greenteeth" by Derek McCulloch
and Shepherd Hendrix.
Jenny Greenteeth is Monster in My Pocket
#108.
Jenny Greenteeth is referred to in the Torchwood novel "Something In The Water" by Trevor Baxendale (BBC Books / Ebury Press) along with other ideas about the Water Hags.
Jenny Greenteeth appears as a character in Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. She is part of the Dark Faery Court.
Ginny Greenteeth and Jenny Greenteeth are words for persons in Scribblenauts
one can spawn.
Ginny Greenteeth, also known as 'The Witch', is a character in Gerald Brom
's The Child Thief
.
Ginny Greenteeth is also the dark ambient cassette collage recording project of New Jersey musician Mike Bruno, known for his acoustic folk ventures.
Greenteeth is a basis for the song by Noel Street.
Jenny Green Teeth is also a song by a band named The Mustard Men.
In the novelette
"Water Babies" by Simon Brown, Jenny Greenteeth is mentioned as being one of many names for a child-snatching water-demon. In the novella, an Australian police officer investigates a series of drownings that turn out to be predatory attacks by a seal-like creature.
'Jenny Greenteeth' was the name of a band in the early 1990s featuring legends of the Vancouver music scene: Ivan Drury (vocals), Happy Kreter (guitars, bass, vocals - formerly of Gob) and 'Space Jeff' Johnston (drums - formerly of the Super Chevy Novas)
English folklore
English folklore is the folk tradition which has developed in England over a number of centuries. Some stories can be traced back to their roots, while the origin of others is uncertain or disputed...
. A river hag
Hag
A hag is a wizened old woman, or a kind of fairy or goddess having the appearance of such a woman, often found in folklore and children's tales such as Hansel and Gretel. Hags are often seen as malevolent, but may also be one of the chosen forms of shapeshifting deities, such as the Morrígan or...
, similar to Peg Powler
Peg Powler
The Peg Powler is a hag from English folklore with a green skin, long hair and sharp teeth who is said to inhabit the River Tees. She grabs the ankles of those who wander too close to the water's edge, especially naughty children, and pulls them under the water and drowns them; in Middleton In...
, she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown them. She was often described as green-skinned, with long hair, and sharp teeth. She is called Jinny Greenteeth in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, but in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
and Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
she is called Ginny Greenteeth, Jeannie Greenteeth, Wicked Jenny, or Peg o' Nell.
She is likely to have been an invention to frighten children from dangerous waters similar to the Slavic Rusalka
Rusalka
In Slavic mythology, a rusalka was a female ghost, water nymph, succubus, or mermaid-like demon that dwelled in a waterway....
, the Kappa in Japanese mythology, or Australia's Bunyip
Bunyip
The bunyip, or kianpraty, is a large mythical creature from Aboriginal mythology, said to lurk in swamps, billabongs, creeks, riverbeds, and waterholes....
, but other folklorists have seen her as a memory of sacrificial practices.
A similar figure in Jamaican folklore is called the River Mumma (River Mother). She is said to live at the fountainhead of large rivers in Jamaica sitting on top of a rock, combing her long black hair with a gold comb. She usually appears at midday and she disappears if she observes anyone approaching. However, if an intruder sees her first and their eyes meet, terrible things will happen to the intruder.
The name is also used to describe pondweed or duckweed, which can form a continuous mat over the surface of a small body of water, making it misleading and potentially treacherous, especially to unwary children. With this meaning the name is common around Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and south west Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
In popular culture
Jenny Greenteeth inspired the lake monster (Meg Mucklebones) in the 1985 Ridley ScottRidley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
fantasy film Legend
Legend (film)
Legend is a 1985 fantasy film released by Universal Pictures, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry. Though not a very notable success when first released, it received a single Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup, and since its initial release, has developed...
.
Jenny Green Teeth (note the words are separated) is the title character in a book of short stories, Jenny Green Teeth and Other Short Stories (Palmerston North: Totem Press, 2003. ISBN 0958244634), by New Zealand-born English writer and Scholar Joel Hayward
Joel Hayward
Joel S.A. Hayward , is a New Zealand-born "noted scholar of war and strategy" who has worked in the United Kingdom since 2004.He is best known for his published books and articles on military matters, including the use of air power, his 2003 biography of Horatio Lord Nelson, and his writing and...
.
Jenny Green Teeth is also the main subject of a poem, "Welsh Maiden," by Joel Hayward
Joel Hayward
Joel S.A. Hayward , is a New Zealand-born "noted scholar of war and strategy" who has worked in the United Kingdom since 2004.He is best known for his published books and articles on military matters, including the use of air power, his 2003 biography of Horatio Lord Nelson, and his writing and...
in his collection, Lifeblood: A Book of Poems (Palmerston North: Totem Press, 2003. ISBN 0958244618).
Jenny Greenteeth was mentioned in the book The Land of the Silver Apples
The Land of the Silver Apples
The Land of the Silver Apples is a children's fantasy novel by Nancy Farmer, published in 2007. It is a sequel to The Sea of Trolls, and a sequel, The Islands of the Blessed, was published in 2009. The title refers to Elfland.-Plot:...
, by Nancy Farmer.
Jenny Greenteeth made an appearance in the Hellboy
Hellboy
Hellboy is a comic book superhero created by writer-artist Mike Mignola. The character first appeared in San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2 , and has since appeared in various eponymous miniseries, one-shots and intercompany crossovers...
short story Hellboy: The Corpse.
She also made an appearance in English novelist Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett
Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
's 2003 The Wee Free Men
The Wee Free Men
The Wee Free Men, first published in 2003, is the second Story of The Discworld book for younger readers. A sequel, A Hat Full of Sky, appeared in 2004 , a third book, Wintersmith appeared in 2006, and the fourth, I Shall Wear Midnight, was released in September...
as well as Christopher Golden
Christopher Golden
Christopher Golden is an American author of horror, fantasy, and suspense novels for adults, teens, and young readers.Golden was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. He is a graduate of Tufts University...
's 2006 The Myth Hunters.
Jenny Greenteeth is one of the leading characters in London Falling
London Falling
London Falling is a strip in 2000 AD, created by comic book writer Simon Spurrier and Lee Garbett the artist. It explores bogeymen from English folklore and mythology wreaking havoc in a modern day setting....
, a short story in 2000AD.
The English comedian Dave Spikey
Dave Spikey
Dave Spikey is an English comedian, actor, writer and film producer, currently residing in Chorley, Lancashire....
mentions Jenny Greenteeth in his stand up act though he was told she would come up through the cracks in the pavement and suck out their bone marrow if you stayed out after dark.
Jenny Greenteeth makes an appearance in the fictional children's story "Nellie Longarms will get you if you don't watch out".
Jenny Greenteeth features as one of the mythical animated creatures in 'Rumpus Mansion', a haunted house attraction at the Isle of Wight theme park, Blackgang Chine.
In Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, Jenny Greenteeth appears in the form of a beautiful young woman, the handmaiden of Maeve
Maeve
Maeve is a first name of Irish origin. In Irish Gaelic, the name "Medbh" means "she who intoxicates." It is rooted in the Irish legend of Queen Maeve or Medb, one of the main protagonists of the early Irish legend Táin Bó Cúailnge...
, Winter Lady and youngest of the Unseelie Queens of Faerie.
The first issue of the comic book anthology PopGun contains a story called "Jenny Greenteeth" by Derek McCulloch
Derek McCulloch (comics)
Derek McCulloch is an author of graphic novels, comics, and books for children who was born in Ottawa in 1964, raised in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and lives in Oakland, California.-Biography:...
and Shepherd Hendrix.
Jenny Greenteeth is Monster in My Pocket
Monster in My Pocket
Monster in my Pocket is a media franchise developed by Morrison Entertainment Group, headed by Joe Morrison and John Weems ....
#108.
Jenny Greenteeth is referred to in the Torchwood novel "Something In The Water" by Trevor Baxendale (BBC Books / Ebury Press) along with other ideas about the Water Hags.
Jenny Greenteeth appears as a character in Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. She is part of the Dark Faery Court.
Ginny Greenteeth and Jenny Greenteeth are words for persons in Scribblenauts
Scribblenauts
Scribblenauts is an emergent puzzle action video game developed by 5th Cell for the Nintendo DS published by WB Games. The game was released September 15, 2009 in North America, September 30, 2009 in Australia, and October 9, 2009 in Europe. Konami released the game in Japan under the name on...
one can spawn.
Ginny Greenteeth, also known as 'The Witch', is a character in Gerald Brom
Gerald Brom
Gerald Brom is an American gothic fantasy artist and illustrator, known for his work in role-playing games, novels, and comics.-Early life:Brom was born March 9, 1965, in Albany, Georgia. As the son of a U.S...
's The Child Thief
The Child Thief
The Child Thief is a Dark fantasy novel by the artist and novelist Brom. A dark retelling of the stories of Peter Pan and The Lost Boys, Brom takes many liberties with the originals by J M Barrie. Brom incorporates monsters and faeries well alongside a poverty-ridden horrific heap of a sad populace...
.
Ginny Greenteeth is also the dark ambient cassette collage recording project of New Jersey musician Mike Bruno, known for his acoustic folk ventures.
Greenteeth is a basis for the song by Noel Street.
Jenny Green Teeth is also a song by a band named The Mustard Men.
In the novelette
Novelette
A novelette is a piece of short prose fiction. The distinction between a novelette and other literary forms is usually based upon word count, with a novelette being longer than a short story, but shorter than a novella...
"Water Babies" by Simon Brown, Jenny Greenteeth is mentioned as being one of many names for a child-snatching water-demon. In the novella, an Australian police officer investigates a series of drownings that turn out to be predatory attacks by a seal-like creature.
'Jenny Greenteeth' was the name of a band in the early 1990s featuring legends of the Vancouver music scene: Ivan Drury (vocals), Happy Kreter (guitars, bass, vocals - formerly of Gob) and 'Space Jeff' Johnston (drums - formerly of the Super Chevy Novas)