boil you lance

[stillwater]

Could someone explain the meanigs of "boil" and "lance" in the following sentence?

"The 'boil' that you lance comes from Old English but what you do to water in a kettle comes from French."

Thanks!!

 

[GretchenPlay]

A boil is a large absess, like a massive pimple. They are very painful and often caused by some sort of infection. To lance a boil is to cut it open using a lancet, which is a small surgical instrument, usually sharp-pointed and two-edged, for making small incisions.

 

[Bevj]

It's a play on the word 'boil', since 'boil' is also what you do to water in a kettle.
The noun 'boil' derives from an Old English word whereas the verb 'boil' is from the French 'bouiller'.

 

[stillwater]

Thank you!