Search from various English teachers...
José Salvador
And now, brother, let me change your linen, for I daresay you will
throw off your illness with your shirt
What is linen refering to?
May 11, 2022 8:28 PM
Answers · 3
1
This seems like older English. It is not common now, but I believe "linen" used to be used
almost as a synonym for "clothing".. e.g. he took off his linens.
In this case I believe that "linen" is referring to the shirt, which could be made of linen.
So "change your linen" implies "take off your shirt" (and thus get rid of your illness).
I hope this helps. The dictionary defines one meaning of "linen" as
clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar
Mitch
May 11, 2022
I believe "changing the linens" refers to making the beds, changing the sheets. It's a bit old fashioned - I haven't heard it in decades it seems, but once upon a time people referred to the sheets and pillowcases as "linens". When people were sick, it was traditional to change their linens, on the theory that the sheets might have germs. I'm not sure about the "shirt", which would not be normally considered a "linen" unless it was actually made of linen, which it usually is not.
May 11, 2022
Some people refer to bedsheets as linens (linen is a kind of cloth), but in the context you gave, it sounds like the author is referring to the shirt.
May 11, 2022
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
José Salvador
Language Skills
English, German, Spanish
Learning Language
English, German
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
12 likes · 11 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 6 Comments
More articles