John Brand, the English nineteenth-century antiquarian, defines thus the scope
of our problem: The consideration of the vulgar saying, that a husband wears
horns, or is a cornute, when his wife proves false to him; as also that of the
meaning of the term cuckold, which has for many years been the popular indication
of the same kind of infamy, which also it has been usual slyly to hint at
by throwing out the little and forefinger when we point at those whom we
tacitly call cuckolds.1 It is amazing how widespread this imagery is, considering
its opacity. Think of it: why should horns and cuckoos be the attributes
of the unhappy husband?