Millstone Grit is the name given to any of a number of coarse-grained sandstones of Carboniferous age which occur in Northern England. The name derives from its use in earlier times as a source of millstones for use principally in watermills. Geologists refer to the whole suite of rocks which encompass both the individual sandstone beds and the intervening mudstones as the Millstone Grit Group. The term Millstone Grit Series was formerly used to refer to the rocks now included within the Millstone Grit Group together with the underlying Edale Shale Group.
The term gritstone describes any sandstone composed of coarse, angular grains though, it is frequently used (with an upper case ‘G’) by British rock climbers specifically to refer to such sandstones within the Peak District, Pennines and neighbouring areas of Northern England.
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Famous quotes containing the words millstone and/or grit:
“A full bosom is actually a millstone around a woman’s neck: it endears her to the men who want to make their mammet of her, but she is never allowed to think that their popping eyes actually see her. Her breasts ... are not parts of a person but lures slung around her neck, to be kneaded and twisted like magic putty, or mumbled and mouthed like lolly ices.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)
“A little grit in the eye destroyeth the sight of the very heavens, and a little malice or envy a world of joys. One wry principle in the mind is of infinite consequence.”
—Thomas Traherne (1636–1674)