Taffy on the goose

[nellie]

In an old book of east anglian customs I read that biscuits/loaves in the shape of a man riding astride a goose were sold in Norwich during Michaelmas called Taffy on the goose.

Is this likely to be related at all to the nursery rhyme 'Taffy was a Welshman...'?

A random google search turned up a website called rhymes.org.uk that claimed Taffy is derived from Amaethon.
Anybody got any ideas where this notion comes from?

I've been wondering about Taffy on the goose for some time and would love any light shed!

[deiniol]

Geese used to be bred in Wales and then herded to England for slaughtering- probably around Michaelmas. I'm assuming that "Taffy on the goose" is a folk memory of this.

[Blackbird]

Dunno... afaik, 'Taffy' is a slightly derogatory name for a Welshman, a bit like 'Paddy' is used for the Irish.