Date: Fri, 15 Dec 1995 08:15:35 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Re: MB: Ilya




> 'Ilya' is a little-known medieval russian mystic.  When he came to
> France in the middle ages, all the people would point and shout,
> 'There he is! Ilya the russian!  Ilya the russian!'  And so 'il y a'
> entered the French language.
> 
Can you give me a reference on this?  Sounds interesting.

Coleman