First I thought, that doesn’t sound right so I tried to read it too. Then I thought, well shit I’m reading the same thing but it can’t be right. I googled it, sure as shit you’re right. The book was originally German and old so I’m assuming it’s an old German thing that doesn’t translate well. Here’s an alternative cover I found with the same quote.
Or maybe Margaret Atwood is just very credulous when certain sections of her house talk to her and has fanciful ideas about the physicality of folk tales? 🤷
From what I can tell that is the only time in history anyone ever used that phrase aside from everyone afterward being confused about what the hell it means