John Adair.
Broad Norfolk : being a series of articles and letters online
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BROAD
REPRINTED FROM THE
-EASTERN DAILY PRESS."
PRICE SIXPENCE.
X T :\VS (VOMI'AXY, LTD.. MUSEUM COURT.
1893.
Ex Libris
C. K. OGDEN
BROAD NORFOLK.
CONTRIBUTORS.
PAGB
PAGE
A.B.C 65
A.D 63
George 71
Giles' Trip, Author of 4
A.G.D 38, 41
A.J.G 41
Alpha 63
Andrews, Herbert ...72,86
Arch Labourer, An ... 81
Ayers, E. T 73, 84
H.B 16
HetVarke ... 30,78,87
Hewett, E 69
Holland, J 72
Hotson,W.A. ... 88
Baker, 8. E 75
Barker, W. 8. ... 36
B.B 66
J.C.S. .. 60
Bird, M. C. H., 19, 34, 48, 73,
J.H 71
83,94
J.L 92
B.O.P 18
Joskin 28
Bor 14
J.E.B 22, 32
Bussey, Chas 23
Bussey, L. A 85
Kendall, E 73
C. ... 95
C.C 16
C-H 4, 13
Clarke, S. T 40
Lawk-a-daisy-me ... 60
Literary World ... 102
Clemence, J. L. ... 26, 80
Clericus 89, 99
L.J 72
Mollie 95
Daisy Dimple 85, 88
Da vies, Christopher ... 78
Davison D 70
Norfolk East ... 67
Doweii, E. w."/. ;;; 49
Norfolk Dumpling, A. 15, 94
Norfolk Farmer, A. 23, 25
Norfolk, A Lover of 18
E 60 92
Norfolk, North ...39,92
E.E.M. '.'.'. '.'.. '.'.'. 71
E.s 99
Norfolk, Old ... 39,90
Norfolk Swimmer, A 74
E.S.B. ... '... 97
Norfolk, West ... 24
Ex-Under-Sheriff ... 65
Norfolk Woman, A... 54
N.S 15
F.G.S. ... .. 86
Forster, F. R.... 27, 34, 41
Octionary 5
F.W.B 36
One Interested ... 24
CONTRIBUTORS.
PACE
PAGE
Patterson, A. ...
P.E.D.
49, 52, 100
90
T.C.B
T.G.S
70
J4, 100
Perkins, J. P.
Pharaoh
21
62
Tew Chaps
T.Licec
97
Pitcher, J.
5J
T.P.S. ...
56
Pomeroy, E. B.
59
T.T
63
Tucker, R. G. W. ..
Tuxford, E. R.
25,61
18
Rambler
59
Rector
... 65, 88
R.L
... 67, 71
Verdant Green
31
R.W.C.
13
"Watson, "W
92
8.
37
"W.C.8.
55
8.E.A.
98
W.F
91
Shaw Leest, \V.
"W.H.C. 17, 20, 27,
57,67
S.J.-W.
'.'.'. 88
W.L
40,86
Skinner, E. ...
Southwell, T.
84
51
"W.N
\v.s
61
20
Suffling, E. R.
32,101
w.w
85
PREFACE.
The articles and letters in this pamphlet
have been re-printed almost literatim et
verbatim as they originally appeared in the
columns of the Eastern Daily Press. " Broad
Norfolk " as a subject for discussion was first
broached in that journal on the last day of
1892. Throughout January of the present
year a peculiarly animated correspondence was
maintained from day to day, and when the
topic had practically spent itself there remained
perhaps the most remarkable accumulation of
provincialisms ever collected in any county in
the kingdom. A complete index has been
compiled of every curious word and phrase
occurring in these pages. Hence it must not be
imagined that the tabulated lists represent
terms in common use in Norfolk alone, or even
in East Anglia alone. Still, it can be said of
them with safety that the words they contain
form part of the colloquial dialect quite
recently, if not at present, in use in the
Eastern Counties. To determine to what
extent these usages are peculiar to Norfolk
must be left to the philologist upon whom
the mantle of Forby may fall. For myself,
I need only express the pleasure it gives me
to have been the indirect means of preserving
in this form the scores of little ''natives"
which in all human probability the Board
Schools will have killed in a generation.
COZEXS-HAEDY.
Eastern Daily Press,
Norwich.
BROAD NORFOLK
BEIXQ A SEEIES OF
ARTICLES AND LETTERS
Reprinted from the "Eastern Daily Press.
EDITED BY C-H.
NORWICH :
NORFOLK NEWS COMPANY, LIMITED, MUSEUM COURT,
PAGE
PAGE
Napping or Knap-
Quackled
27
ping
53
Quaggled
68
Nation
9,74
Quant
. 77,82
Neesen
7
Quicks
12
Next-day-morn
60
Quick-set
84
Nicely
24,61
Nip along
40
Nipper
Noah's Ark
2
Rafe-boards ...
Rands
84
.. 15,77
Nointer
35
Ranny
.. 35
Non-plush
64
Rare
25
Nowt
60
Rattick...
.. 25,28
Numm-chance
41,99
Ratticker
28
Rear, In the ...
41
Olf
Olland
29
37,54
Refuge
Respectable . . .
Ridiculous
27
99
98
Ollust
11
Riddle
99
Other some
99
Riffle ...
Out abroad
27
Ritr
O ut for, who is the bell
60
Right consistent
Rightsides
o
88
.. 25,68
Pakenose
27,58
Ringe
61
Pakin'
14
Rise ...
61
Pample
5
Roaches
72
Par-yard
27
Rocked
25
Parts, To put on his ...
Pawk
18,64
26,58
Rockstaff
Rodger or Sir Roger
99
12,33,
Pax-wax
35
'7, 82, 95
Ped
90
Roky ..
.. 2,63
Pelanders
Pensey
85
99
Rely-poly
Rootling
... 19,21
... 100
Perk
61
Rouding-time ...
77
Perse wance
85
Rum
40
Pickcheesin'
14
Rumbustious ...
90
Piece
28
Bun
.. 27,84
Pightle
27,58
Runty
5
Pilcochia
94
Pinglin'
41
Pip-patches
35
Sadly ...
21
Pishmires
Pit
64
96
late, :v. :;
26, 33, 59
90
Plancher
39 82
Sally
84
Plantain
69
Sammucking ..
24
Pogram 11
Pollard
,33,61
84
Sammy, play ..
35
... 54,62
Popple
92
Sarshen
... 54,65
Popples ,
92
Sars o' mine ...
35
Posset
84
Sawney
68
Pudden-poke
Pulk-hole
7
2,58
Scald
Scalps
28
93
Pulks
77
Scamel 74,
78, 93, 94
Push
22
Schwad
55
Putty
77
Scocker
61
adv.
PAGE ,
PAGE
Scrog ..
84
Snatchet
84
Scu?
2
Sneck
... 52, 90
Scuppet..
6
8new 4.
52, 59, 61
Sea-pig
99
Snob
40
To see to
60
Solid ..
68
Sele of the day
fiofo
... 29,98
Sorzles
Soshinir
6
Bets
Settle
'.'.'. 84
Sowse ...
... 22, 66
5
Several
25
Spink
37
Shack
30
Splarr
27
Shacking
61
Spline
90
Shackled
14
Sploddin
40
Shail
59
Spoat
39
Shammock
92
Spore
25
Shanks' pony ...
84
Spoult
... 40,53
Shanny
25
Springy
62
Sharm
... 23, 59
Spuffling
30
Shepherd's flock
... 84
Squackle
90
Shiffinhisself ...
Squeezened
27
Shornt
40
Squinder
25
Shortening 22
Shrubs, herbs, &c., a
list of 101
Squit
Staithe
Stammed ... 7,
55
30
23, 70, 79
Shug or Shig . . .
Shuloe
27
22
Stand up
Stannicle
... 13, 16
35
Shy
Shvwannicking
21
74
Stingy or Stingey
Stitch
... 14,25
3
Sib'bits ...11,17,
18, 19, 26, 73
Stove
63
Sidewiper
94
Strappen
... 5, 29
Sidus ... x ...
... 22,59
Stroke, Some ...
65
Siserara
5, 59, 87
Stub
99
Skeins
Skeps
87
37
Stukey Blues ...
Suffin'
86
24
Skinker
... 66,90
Sumpy
37
Skive
49
Sunk
56
Skran
Skruke
55
70
Snnkets, Stmketing
Swack
40
35
Skruzzle
35
Kwacken
5
Skutes
12, 38, 59
Swad
92
Slackbaked ...
... 34
Swag
49
Slammakin ...
35
Scaling .. ..
... 59,66
Slaver
... 55,97
Swang
91
Slew
.. 56
Swap-tub
35
Slight
90
S wared...
35
Slippy
Slobber
91
35
Swidge ...
Swimmers
... e, 39
12
Slov
92
Swiping
77
Slus
... 40,59
Swish
25
Slussy hound ...
... 94
Switched
31
Smeaa
70
S wiving
37
Smoultin'
... 80, 94
Swop
26
Snaast '.'.'. ".'.
... "' 6
Take-on
... 41,74
Snasty
12,32,38 Tang
84
I'AOE
PAGE
IWy
3 Hackering
88
Foumart
99
Hake
17,20
Fourses
... 8,14
Half -rock
58
Frails
77, 81
Hallo largess ...
8.33
Frame
32
Hampered to get hold
Frenched
22
of
88
Fresher or Froschy
Fribbling
7, 30, 38
60
Hample ".'.
Hank
37
3
Fiammicating ...
Frowey ... ...
92
27
Hansell
Happened
71
63
Frummety
6
Harnser
. i3, 57
Full-flopper ...
Fungered
84
74
Harwich, Ketched
all up at
me
41
Funked...
87
Hasel ...
... 3,25
Funky
65
Hawky
... 61,77
Furrin
25
Haze
12
Fursickin'
14, 19, 41
Heater
88
Furfy
58
Heel
62
Fve 3,17,87,98
Fysty 27,58
Heign
Hen's polly ...
3, 15, 22
27
Hick-up, snick up
13
Gaddy-wentin'
94
Hidlond
22
Gatfer
24,58
Hid-se-rapf
34
Gaggles
87
Highlows
... 7,30
Gaily
24
Hike ...
65
Gain and Ungaia
Gainer
Game
61
40
12
Hild
Himpin'
Hind .
72
12, 25, 33
Gan (for given)
Gathered
Gatless
81
62
5
Hinder
Hingles
Hobby
9, 23, 70
66
40
Gavvel
40
Hobby-lantern
99
Gawky
5,29
Hod
84
Gay
27, 37, 54
Hodmandod ...
... 7.30
Gloat
Goaf
77,81
39,82
Holger-boy 33
Holl 2.17.19.22
Gobs
Golder
Goms
6
27, 35, 73
... y,74
Hoppen-toad ...
Hotch-potch ...
Hough
... 7, 29
84
53
Good
27
Housen
7,30
Good-steward
40
Hove
81
Good-tidy
Gooseberry-fool
24,64
Hovelled ' .'."
Hovers
.'.. 14
... 19,77
Gonned
Gorn sim your body
Gotch
9
25
3, 6, 15
Howsomever ...
Hub-ma-grub
Huddren
41
81
5
Go-tu-meetin clothe
s 56
Hulk
72
Grained
63
Hulkin'"' ".'
.'.. 5,29
Greened
6
HuU
5
Grubbing
60
Hulvers
... 24,58
Grup
... 28, 3li
Hutkin
... 12,53
Gruttling
IH
Huush
85
Gukher
56
Hyke
32
Gum-ticklers ...
84
Hyvers
17
xii.
PAGE
PAGH
If so being you can' t go
inconvenient
68
25
Loaders
Lock
77
40
Imitate
22,25
Loke .
... 3,53
Ingen
6
Lollup
5
I'onthet
68
Lork-a-mercy
40
Lower
90
Lucum
84
Jack up
55
Lug
72
Jammuck
53
Lummock
5
Jangle
72
Jannick
55,59
Jiffey ...
Jiffle or Jidgett
Jill
Jimpsener
55
55
84
62
Main
Main, in the ...
Mala-hacked ...
Malkin
70
41
53
68
Jot
Jowl
Jumble
84, 86
27
54,61
Malt
Mardle
Mastrous
... 74,93
11
37
Mauled
25
Kane
Keeler 22
Keeping-room
Kichell-cakes
Kiderer
Kidgy
Kindling
Kind'o
King Harry
Kinsann
26,33
35,58
31
78
66,92
32
22
16
7
64
Maund
Mawkin
Mawther
Mavish
Meetiners
Mendin
Mentle
Mew-heart
Miel-banks ...
Mifflin ...
Miltz
... 100
14, 19, 58
... 5, 16
7, 29, 57, 62
56
9
58
'.'.'. ' 70
56
Kipper ...
100
Might
61
Knacker
Knickled
Know
Krinkle
72
66
14
61,96
35
Ming
Mittens
Mocking-church
Moderate
Moise
7
7
98
25
... 76,84
Molt
35
Lamming 77
Lamper-along ... 34
Larrup 27
Lash 61,68
Layer 37,54
Lay forrard 34
Lay Over Meddlers 9, 28, 33
Lether 63
Lief 24
Morfrey 56
Mort 39
Mouse-hunter 99
Mother 53
Moultry 25
Mow, old sea 60,93
Muck-crome 3
Muck- wash 97
Mucky ...17,18,21,25,30,78
Muddle 21,92
Liggers
BI
77
Mung
17
Like-to-be
88
Lim
3
Limpsy
86
Nab
... 19,68
Lit
3
Nab-the-rust ...
65
Living upright
90
Nag
99
i nsr ID IE
Aainter
PAGE
35
Bright
PAGE
78
Abroad
88
Brumble..
83
Acabo, that would
Bufflc, hull him in a ..
86
puzzle
68
Bulls
66
Act
64
Bullverin
100
Alder
75
Bunker
92
Applejacks
12
Bunny 7,
29,85
Arms and legs . . .
72, 83
Buskin
18
Arradeen
Buttress
56
Averdupois
98
Buzzle-head
68
Babbing
77
Caddow ..
57
Back-stalk
27,87
Call
5,59
Balaams-smite
54
Call, no
64
Bannock
85
Carneyirg
34
Barksel
25
Carnser
16,17
Barleycorn, Ho John. . .
83
Carpenter's Soda
63
Barm
83
Carwoo
72
Bauley-boats
77
Carre
77
Baulks
83
Catched him a rum'un
68
Beck
28, 75
Cedar Pencil
78
Beetle
Chance
88
Baing
Being one's share
Betsv
16
29
Chapman
Chaiiev, play the
Cherubidin .
86,87
35
64
Betty Martin, That's
Chife
41
all me eye and . . .
Bever
66,71
8
Chitterlings
Cholder
6,29
55
Bighes
Bile
12
83
Christmas
Chummy
25
83
Bing
22
Chump
30
Birds, East Anglian 41 to 52
Bish-a-barneybees... 35,82
Church-hole
Clates
83
83
Bishimer
62
Click
62
Bloodulfs
37
Clink
23
Boiler
22
Clip
5
Boke
99
Closes
26
Bor 5,
38, 77
Clout
23
Botty
97
Clung 41
53,99
Brawn
7
Clutch
61
Breakin'abit
63
Cobble
83
Breck
87
Colder ... 28,73,77,79
PAUE
PAGE
Comeback
8
Do ... 25,
27, 37, 52, 63
Contain
57
Doatedtree ...
92
Comforter
27
Dodman
... 7,30
Cooshies
22
Doke
... 24,29
Cop
.. 5,22
Donkey-legs ...
36
Corder
A 73, 77
Don't ... ...
... 25,27
Corker ...
60
Don't ought
... 53,63
CoquiUes
78
Doss
.. 84,85
Cosh
83
Dotts
56
Cosset
... 8,57
Uouse-a-bit
... 40,68
Cranky
30
Dow
... 23,58
Crick
66
Down-pin
... 41
Grimalkin
58
Dowshie
28
Crinkley-crankley
Crock
55
98
Drant
Draw-latchin' ...
r iO
41
Crome
29
Dreep, on the ...
fc6
Crowd
... 5,21
Driftway
i.9
Crow-keepers ...
Crumb
72
27
Drug
Drum
84
65
Crumplin'
20
Dudder
16, 18, 19, 21
Crush
98
Dudman
... 58
Cubbaw
67
Dullor
3, 15, 20, 63
Culch
6
Dump
... 84
Cum-harley ...
,. 12,22
Dumplindust ...
84
Cirm-hether ...
... 8,12
Dutna
3
Cup-bear
12,28,57
27
Cussey
85
Duzzy
... 14,29
Dwil3 !.. '.'.'.
... 22,29
Dydling
... 77
Dabster
99
D'youdut
88
Daft
84
Dag
... 2,74
Daices-headed ...
... 85,94
Ear
72
Dams
77
Ecclester
70
Dang
8,29,57
Euow
... 24,58
Danns
54
Dannies
88
Dauuock
18,60,85
Fang
... 27, 99
Dardle dum due
94
Fare
... 14,25
Darn
8,29,57
Fatagued
Da' say
67
Fawny
'.'.'. 27
Dead-a-Bird ...
... 2,90
Feeten
85
Deceit
63
Fence
61
Deen
... 6,21
Ferry-fake .
56
Deficiency
58
Few
60
Deke 2, 10,15, 17,
19,20,22,
Finnickin'
60
24, 31, 35, 36, 39,
Denesquittin' ...
67, 75, 94
14
Fishimer
Flare-up
62
94
Dibbling
Dickey
84
... 8,20
Flat
Fleet
61
... 62,77
Dickey-shud ...
Dike
88
.. 36,53
Fleeten
Fliglit-of-bees..
73
84
Ding
Dingle
32
27
Flopped
Forgive
55
25
PAGE PAGE
Tangle-leg
83
Unsensed
62
Tantrums
6,29
Tarnation
9
Vardle
86
T'do
27
Tempest
Terrify
Thape-pie
Thew
21
59
86
4
Wadges 55
Wake 33,94
Walentin' Good Mor-
Thongy
Thow
Timbered
Time
2
'87
27
rer
Wamp
Wank
Wanklin'
"Want
t>i
M
93
6t
Ting
Tissicking
Titchy
84
26
71
Wanten"" ".'
"Wap
61
M
Titty
Titty totty
Titter-ma-torter
Toad in the hole
Together
Tom and Jerry shop
20
56
56,81
84
2,9
67
39
^Varp
Water-delf
Water-eynd
Water-shutin'
Wednesday, Won't get
further than
Welt
2
77
86
25
61
Top sawyer
Toward
Towney
Trape
Trapen
Traunce
Tremble
84
8,22
40
27
PO
92
Whasking
Wheatsel
Wheesh 12,38,57
Whopper
Wimple-trees ...
Wind-jammers
Winnock
40
3
,91
60
37
84
6
Triculate ..'.' '.'.
Troll
Tumbler
Tupe
Tupp
12
25
'2?
84
Without 27
Wittery 94
Woorree 8
Woosh 22,23,52
Wort, over 22
Tussock
3
Twilt
T winters
85
86,87
Yard of Plum Pudding
41
13
Twizzling
T'year
27
Tipper
Yows
60
23
BROAD NORFOLK.
OUR English language, in virtue of its being
a living language, is periodically importing
fresh words into its vocabulary as they become
fashionable, and is gradually getting rid of
useless and cumbersome terms. Illustrations
of the latter process will occur to everybody.
Examples of terms of recent importation now
generally adopted as good English are such as
embarrass, chagrin, grimace, repartee, all of
which, according to one of Dryden's plays,
were considered affected in the latter half of
the seventeenth century. Provincial English is
often treated with the most unmerited contempt,
and no one seems disposed to go to its rescue.
Yet after all, what are commonly sat down as
vulgarisms, are to a great extent, only terms
used in more or less remote part? of the country
by people who have not kept abreast with the
advance of the language. The man who speaks
broad Norfolk, for instance, is at once stamped
as below the mark in intelligence ; but the
genuine Norfolk countryman is justly entitled
to boast that he is never guilty of the un-
speakable vulgarism of the townsfolk, who are
seldom so happy as when they are running
amuck amongst the h's. Oar own county of
Norfolk can boast of a prolific vocabulary of
provincialisms ; types, for the most part, as
philologists tell us, not of bad but merely of
BROAD NORFOLK.
antiquated English. Several illustrations
suggest themselves to me ; scores of others no
doubt will readily occur to readers who have
seen the inside of a farmyard or come across a
typical agricultural labourer.
The words dag, smur, and scud, employed to
mean a driving drizzle of rain, are all provincial,
if they are not peculiar to Norfolk. Dag, it is
worthy of note, once signified a dew, whilst
scud, in its legitimate sense, refers solely to the
actual clouds. To speak of roky weather implies
thick, foggy weather. The word evidently is
connected with reek (to steam), but its use,
though common enough in this county, is
not confined to Norfolk. Again, thongy, a
thoroughly Norfolk term, describes the oppres-
sive heat which often occurs between two
summer showers. Noah's Ark is a singular
name given to three lines of cloud stretching
overhead from the S.W., and supposed to indi-
cate fine weather.
Pulk-hole denotes an open cess-pool. Water-
del/ is used of an ordinary drainage
hole by the roadside, the suffix obviously being
from the root delve, to dig. Hull is a popular
word, meaning a wide ditch of water. Possibly
it is a contraction of hollow, used by Addison
to indicate a channel or canal. Deke a bank,
and has nothing to do with ditch (cf. the Dutch
dike] ; it is one of the commonest of Norfolk
terms, but its origin is obscure.
Bird, in sporting parlance is a partridge. It
is interesting to note that deer in the same way
once meant any animal ('* Rats and mice, and
such small deer "). However, I don't suggest
that bird is ever likely to have so exclusive a
meaning as- deer now possesses. What is the
force of together in " spreed yarselves out
together," a direction I have heard given to
BROAD NORFOLK.
beaters by a head gamekeeper ? And what,
too, is the history of the word duller in
" Howld yew yar duller,' 1 '' addressed to a noisy
" dorg?"
Wheatsel is a pretty word, meaning " Wheat
drilling." Thus, " We've finished wheatsel "
" all our wheat is in." Here the idea is " seed-
time," but in haysel, for instance, the notion
conveyed is that of harvest.
Pn't/, stitch are both used to describe the space
between two double furrows.
Didfin a halter. " Fetch a dutfin and show
the animal off " is a common expression.
Tussock is an excellent 'Old English term for
a tuft or a sod of grass. It is obsolete so far as
the national vocabulary is concerned, and is
obsolescent even in remote rural districts.
Heiyn (heighten) to raise wages.
Gotch jug.
Loke a " blind " lane.
To hank up a gate to sneck or fasten it.
Fosey over-ripe.
Lim to suck. E.g., of a bifcoh, the pups
wil Urn her to deed cause her death by sucking.
Tumbler, for tumbrel. Since the word is
used of a cart made so as to tip up, " tumbler"
is more logical than "tumbrel." Yet " tumbler "
is hardly considered respectable.
Muck-crome is a capital word, but is entirely
local.
Lit stain. This occurs in an old saying,
" There's not a blot but will lit" The word
or the proverb is said to be early Danish. I
don't know whether anybody has met with it
outside this county ; at any rate, it is a note-
worthy survival.
Fye to dress corn. Thus, to go a-fyin,
might mean to run wheat through the dressing
machine.
BROAD NORFOLK.
An odd vowel change may often be observed.
As, for instance,
e for o in sneiv for snow^
i for e in /ma-bird for hen-bird.
o and even eu for au in thow or tlieiv for
thaw.
for a in fond for land, sond for sand, and
grovel-hole for gravel hole.
1 think it is Trench who has pointed out how
much richer, at least in rural terms, the
English language would be if it adopted freely
from its country dialects. C-H.
(BY THE AUTHOR OF "GILES'S TRIP TO
LONDON, " (fee.)
The first half of iny life was passed in
the southern parts of Suffolk, and the
latter half has been passed in Norfolk. So far
as the provincialisms made use of in the two
counties are concerned, I think there is not
much difference. There is, however, a great
contrast in the style of speech. Suffolk
speaks in a kind of sing-song ; Norfolk in a
more broad and sustained tone. There is
nothing in Suffolk to answer to the way in
which the a in certain words is pronounced in
Norfolk. Here we say pauper and baaker, the a
being drawn out at extraordinary length. This
peculiarity does not exist in the sister county.
Neither d the people in Suffolk say rume for
room, or glumy for gloomy, as we do here.
Neither do they drop the h, as the inhabitants
of many parts of Norfolk do in some words. A
Mid-Norfolk man will say, and even
write, for instance, trow for throw, tree
for three, troat for throat, and so on.
Many of the provincialisms are, as I have said,
BROAD XORFOLK.
commoii to both counties. I will run over a
few of them, merely premising that I shall
give none which I have not myself heard in
the cottages of the peasantry and in the roads
and fields.
The terms applied by men and women to
each other are interesting. A gi~l is
called a mawther, which, in addressing her,
becomes maw. " "Where have you been,
maw ? " But she is also called a
fine strappen mawther. A lad is
addressed as " bor," and he is said
to be a great huddren fellow, or a loose hufkin*
rascal. If boys or girls are large or jolly they
are said to be $ivac\~en ; if they are awkward
they are called gawky; when out of temper
they are runty ; and when they are half-witted
and shiftless they are described as gutless.
There are many terms to express their doings.
They lollop or lummuclc aoout, or they sarnter
in the lanes. In the winter time girls and boys
pample in the mud, and at all times
clamber up walls or trees. The girls
cop balls, the boys cail stones, and both of them
hull all sorts of things about. A man will
hull on his coat, and a women will hull on her
bonnet. A man will give directions to hull a
scuppet into the barrow and crowd it up the hill.
The scuppet, of course, is a shovel, and to
"crowd" is to drive or push. I have even
heard of a man who went into a chemist's shop
in North Norfolk and asked for " a punno' o'
pills to hull a wummen into a sweat." One boy
will give another a clip o' the head or a soivse o'
the skull, and I once heard a fellow say he had
given another a sisserara.
There are a good many terms used inside the
cottage which are expressive and peculiar. If
you go in when the baby is sleeping, the
IRQ An NORFOLK.
mother will probably hold up her finger and
say, " Don't make a deen," which means
don't utter a sound. The wick of the candles
which at one time were burned in every cottage
was called a snaast, which the snuffers were used
to trim, but if they should not be at hand,
the finger and thumb of the father or of one of
the boys would do the work. The girl would
be sent with a gotch to the well, and if she
should spill any of the water on the floor, she
would be ordered to clean up the sividge. If
she was disagreeable and put herself into
tantrums, or begun to winnock (i.e., cry), she
would perhaps be cut off with only a hunch
of bread, with maybe an ingen (onion),
for her dinner. If the mother happened
to be ill she would perhaps tell you that she
was tired of sorzhs, the slops which the doctor
ordered her, and add that they were nothing
but culch. Sometimes she would tie a hand-
REPRINTED FROM THE
-EASTERN DAILY PRESS."
PRICE SIXPENCE.
X T :\VS (VOMI'AXY, LTD.. MUSEUM COURT.
1893.
Ex Libris
C. K. OGDEN
BROAD NORFOLK.
CONTRIBUTORS.
PAGB
PAGE
A.B.C 65
A.D 63
George 71
Giles' Trip, Author of 4
A.G.D 38, 41
A.J.G 41
Alpha 63
Andrews, Herbert ...72,86
Arch Labourer, An ... 81
Ayers, E. T 73, 84
H.B 16
HetVarke ... 30,78,87
Hewett, E 69
Holland, J 72
Hotson,W.A. ... 88
Baker, 8. E 75
Barker, W. 8. ... 36
B.B 66
J.C.S. .. 60
Bird, M. C. H., 19, 34, 48, 73,
J.H 71
83,94
J.L 92
B.O.P 18
Joskin 28
Bor 14
J.E.B 22, 32
Bussey, Chas 23
Bussey, L. A 85
Kendall, E 73
C. ... 95
C.C 16
C-H 4, 13
Clarke, S. T 40
Lawk-a-daisy-me ... 60
Literary World ... 102
Clemence, J. L. ... 26, 80
Clericus 89, 99
L.J 72
Mollie 95
Daisy Dimple 85, 88
Da vies, Christopher ... 78
Davison D 70
Norfolk East ... 67
Doweii, E. w."/. ;;; 49
Norfolk Dumpling, A. 15, 94
Norfolk Farmer, A. 23, 25
Norfolk, A Lover of 18
E 60 92
Norfolk, North ...39,92
E.E.M. '.'.'. '.'.. '.'.'. 71
E.s 99
Norfolk, Old ... 39,90
Norfolk Swimmer, A 74
E.S.B. ... '... 97
Norfolk, West ... 24
Ex-Under-Sheriff ... 65
Norfolk Woman, A... 54
N.S 15
F.G.S. ... .. 86
Forster, F. R.... 27, 34, 41
Octionary 5
F.W.B 36
One Interested ... 24
CONTRIBUTORS.
PACE
PAGE
Patterson, A. ...
P.E.D.
49, 52, 100
90
T.C.B
T.G.S
70
J4, 100
Perkins, J. P.
Pharaoh
21
62
Tew Chaps
T.Licec
97
Pitcher, J.
5J
T.P.S. ...
56
Pomeroy, E. B.
59
T.T
63
Tucker, R. G. W. ..
Tuxford, E. R.
25,61
18
Rambler
59
Rector
... 65, 88
R.L
... 67, 71
Verdant Green
31
R.W.C.
13
"Watson, "W
92
8.
37
"W.C.8.
55
8.E.A.
98
W.F
91
Shaw Leest, \V.
"W.H.C. 17, 20, 27,
57,67
S.J.-W.
'.'.'. 88
W.L
40,86
Skinner, E. ...
Southwell, T.
84
51
"W.N
\v.s
61
20
Suffling, E. R.
32,101
w.w
85
PREFACE.
The articles and letters in this pamphlet
have been re-printed almost literatim et
verbatim as they originally appeared in the
columns of the Eastern Daily Press. " Broad
Norfolk " as a subject for discussion was first
broached in that journal on the last day of
1892. Throughout January of the present
year a peculiarly animated correspondence was
maintained from day to day, and when the
topic had practically spent itself there remained
perhaps the most remarkable accumulation of
provincialisms ever collected in any county in
the kingdom. A complete index has been
compiled of every curious word and phrase
occurring in these pages. Hence it must not be
imagined that the tabulated lists represent
terms in common use in Norfolk alone, or even
in East Anglia alone. Still, it can be said of
them with safety that the words they contain
form part of the colloquial dialect quite
recently, if not at present, in use in the
Eastern Counties. To determine to what
extent these usages are peculiar to Norfolk
must be left to the philologist upon whom
the mantle of Forby may fall. For myself,
I need only express the pleasure it gives me
to have been the indirect means of preserving
in this form the scores of little ''natives"
which in all human probability the Board
Schools will have killed in a generation.
COZEXS-HAEDY.
Eastern Daily Press,
Norwich.
BROAD NORFOLK
BEIXQ A SEEIES OF
ARTICLES AND LETTERS
Reprinted from the "Eastern Daily Press.
EDITED BY C-H.
NORWICH :
NORFOLK NEWS COMPANY, LIMITED, MUSEUM COURT,
PAGE
PAGE
Napping or Knap-
Quackled
27
ping
53
Quaggled
68
Nation
9,74
Quant
. 77,82
Neesen
7
Quicks
12
Next-day-morn
60
Quick-set
84
Nicely
24,61
Nip along
40
Nipper
Noah's Ark
2
Rafe-boards ...
Rands
84
.. 15,77
Nointer
35
Ranny
.. 35
Non-plush
64
Rare
25
Nowt
60
Rattick...
.. 25,28
Numm-chance
41,99
Ratticker
28
Rear, In the ...
41
Olf
Olland
29
37,54
Refuge
Respectable . . .
Ridiculous
27
99
98
Ollust
11
Riddle
99
Other some
99
Riffle ...
Out abroad
27
Ritr
O ut for, who is the bell
60
Right consistent
Rightsides
o
88
.. 25,68
Pakenose
27,58
Ringe
61
Pakin'
14
Rise ...
61
Pample
5
Roaches
72
Par-yard
27
Rocked
25
Parts, To put on his ...
Pawk
18,64
26,58
Rockstaff
Rodger or Sir Roger
99
12,33,
Pax-wax
35
'7, 82, 95
Ped
90
Roky ..
.. 2,63
Pelanders
Pensey
85
99
Rely-poly
Rootling
... 19,21
... 100
Perk
61
Rouding-time ...
77
Perse wance
85
Rum
40
Pickcheesin'
14
Rumbustious ...
90
Piece
28
Bun
.. 27,84
Pightle
27,58
Runty
5
Pilcochia
94
Pinglin'
41
Pip-patches
35
Sadly ...
21
Pishmires
Pit
64
96
late, :v. :;
26, 33, 59
90
Plancher
39 82
Sally
84
Plantain
69
Sammucking ..
24
Pogram 11
Pollard
,33,61
84
Sammy, play ..
35
... 54,62
Popple
92
Sarshen
... 54,65
Popples ,
92
Sars o' mine ...
35
Posset
84
Sawney
68
Pudden-poke
Pulk-hole
7
2,58
Scald
Scalps
28
93
Pulks
77
Scamel 74,
78, 93, 94
Push
22
Schwad
55
Putty
77
Scocker
61
adv.
PAGE ,
PAGE
Scrog ..
84
Snatchet
84
Scu?
2
Sneck
... 52, 90
Scuppet..
6
8new 4.
52, 59, 61
Sea-pig
99
Snob
40
To see to
60
Solid ..
68
Sele of the day
fiofo
... 29,98
Sorzles
Soshinir
6
Bets
Settle
'.'.'. 84
Sowse ...
... 22, 66
5
Several
25
Spink
37
Shack
30
Splarr
27
Shacking
61
Spline
90
Shackled
14
Sploddin
40
Shail
59
Spoat
39
Shammock
92
Spore
25
Shanks' pony ...
84
Spoult
... 40,53
Shanny
25
Springy
62
Sharm
... 23, 59
Spuffling
30
Shepherd's flock
... 84
Squackle
90
Shiffinhisself ...
Squeezened
27
Shornt
40
Squinder
25
Shortening 22
Shrubs, herbs, &c., a
list of 101
Squit
Staithe
Stammed ... 7,
55
30
23, 70, 79
Shug or Shig . . .
Shuloe
27
22
Stand up
Stannicle
... 13, 16
35
Shy
Shvwannicking
21
74
Stingy or Stingey
Stitch
... 14,25
3
Sib'bits ...11,17,
18, 19, 26, 73
Stove
63
Sidewiper
94
Strappen
... 5, 29
Sidus ... x ...
... 22,59
Stroke, Some ...
65
Siserara
5, 59, 87
Stub
99
Skeins
Skeps
87
37
Stukey Blues ...
Suffin'
86
24
Skinker
... 66,90
Sumpy
37
Skive
49
Sunk
56
Skran
Skruke
55
70
Snnkets, Stmketing
Swack
40
35
Skruzzle
35
Kwacken
5
Skutes
12, 38, 59
Swad
92
Slackbaked ...
... 34
Swag
49
Slammakin ...
35
Scaling .. ..
... 59,66
Slaver
... 55,97
Swang
91
Slew
.. 56
Swap-tub
35
Slight
90
S wared...
35
Slippy
Slobber
91
35
Swidge ...
Swimmers
... e, 39
12
Slov
92
Swiping
77
Slus
... 40,59
Swish
25
Slussy hound ...
... 94
Switched
31
Smeaa
70
S wiving
37
Smoultin'
... 80, 94
Swop
26
Snaast '.'.'. ".'.
... "' 6
Take-on
... 41,74
Snasty
12,32,38 Tang
84
I'AOE
PAGE
IWy
3 Hackering
88
Foumart
99
Hake
17,20
Fourses
... 8,14
Half -rock
58
Frails
77, 81
Hallo largess ...
8.33
Frame
32
Hampered to get hold
Frenched
22
of
88
Fresher or Froschy
Fribbling
7, 30, 38
60
Hample ".'.
Hank
37
3
Fiammicating ...
Frowey ... ...
92
27
Hansell
Happened
71
63
Frummety
6
Harnser
. i3, 57
Full-flopper ...
Fungered
84
74
Harwich, Ketched
all up at
me
41
Funked...
87
Hasel ...
... 3,25
Funky
65
Hawky
... 61,77
Furrin
25
Haze
12
Fursickin'
14, 19, 41
Heater
88
Furfy
58
Heel
62
Fve 3,17,87,98
Fysty 27,58
Heign
Hen's polly ...
3, 15, 22
27
Hick-up, snick up
13
Gaddy-wentin'
94
Hidlond
22
Gatfer
24,58
Hid-se-rapf
34
Gaggles
87
Highlows
... 7,30
Gaily
24
Hike ...
65
Gain and Ungaia
Gainer
Game
61
40
12
Hild
Himpin'
Hind .
72
12, 25, 33
Gan (for given)
Gathered
Gatless
81
62
5
Hinder
Hingles
Hobby
9, 23, 70
66
40
Gavvel
40
Hobby-lantern
99
Gawky
5,29
Hod
84
Gay
27, 37, 54
Hodmandod ...
... 7.30
Gloat
Goaf
77,81
39,82
Holger-boy 33
Holl 2.17.19.22
Gobs
Golder
Goms
6
27, 35, 73
... y,74
Hoppen-toad ...
Hotch-potch ...
Hough
... 7, 29
84
53
Good
27
Housen
7,30
Good-steward
40
Hove
81
Good-tidy
Gooseberry-fool
24,64
Hovelled ' .'."
Hovers
.'.. 14
... 19,77
Gonned
Gorn sim your body
Gotch
9
25
3, 6, 15
Howsomever ...
Hub-ma-grub
Huddren
41
81
5
Go-tu-meetin clothe
s 56
Hulk
72
Grained
63
Hulkin'"' ".'
.'.. 5,29
Greened
6
HuU
5
Grubbing
60
Hulvers
... 24,58
Grup
... 28, 3li
Hutkin
... 12,53
Gruttling
IH
Huush
85
Gukher
56
Hyke
32
Gum-ticklers ...
84
Hyvers
17
xii.
PAGE
PAGH
If so being you can' t go
inconvenient
68
25
Loaders
Lock
77
40
Imitate
22,25
Loke .
... 3,53
Ingen
6
Lollup
5
I'onthet
68
Lork-a-mercy
40
Lower
90
Lucum
84
Jack up
55
Lug
72
Jammuck
53
Lummock
5
Jangle
72
Jannick
55,59
Jiffey ...
Jiffle or Jidgett
Jill
Jimpsener
55
55
84
62
Main
Main, in the ...
Mala-hacked ...
Malkin
70
41
53
68
Jot
Jowl
Jumble
84, 86
27
54,61
Malt
Mardle
Mastrous
... 74,93
11
37
Mauled
25
Kane
Keeler 22
Keeping-room
Kichell-cakes
Kiderer
Kidgy
Kindling
Kind'o
King Harry
Kinsann
26,33
35,58
31
78
66,92
32
22
16
7
64
Maund
Mawkin
Mawther
Mavish
Meetiners
Mendin
Mentle
Mew-heart
Miel-banks ...
Mifflin ...
Miltz
... 100
14, 19, 58
... 5, 16
7, 29, 57, 62
56
9
58
'.'.'. ' 70
56
Kipper ...
100
Might
61
Knacker
Knickled
Know
Krinkle
72
66
14
61,96
35
Ming
Mittens
Mocking-church
Moderate
Moise
7
7
98
25
... 76,84
Molt
35
Lamming 77
Lamper-along ... 34
Larrup 27
Lash 61,68
Layer 37,54
Lay forrard 34
Lay Over Meddlers 9, 28, 33
Lether 63
Lief 24
Morfrey 56
Mort 39
Mouse-hunter 99
Mother 53
Moultry 25
Mow, old sea 60,93
Muck-crome 3
Muck- wash 97
Mucky ...17,18,21,25,30,78
Muddle 21,92
Liggers
BI
77
Mung
17
Like-to-be
88
Lim
3
Limpsy
86
Nab
... 19,68
Lit
3
Nab-the-rust ...
65
Living upright
90
Nag
99
i nsr ID IE
Aainter
PAGE
35
Bright
PAGE
78
Abroad
88
Brumble..
83
Acabo, that would
Bufflc, hull him in a ..
86
puzzle
68
Bulls
66
Act
64
Bullverin
100
Alder
75
Bunker
92
Applejacks
12
Bunny 7,
29,85
Arms and legs . . .
72, 83
Buskin
18
Arradeen
Buttress
56
Averdupois
98
Buzzle-head
68
Babbing
77
Caddow ..
57
Back-stalk
27,87
Call
5,59
Balaams-smite
54
Call, no
64
Bannock
85
Carneyirg
34
Barksel
25
Carnser
16,17
Barleycorn, Ho John. . .
83
Carpenter's Soda
63
Barm
83
Carwoo
72
Bauley-boats
77
Carre
77
Baulks
83
Catched him a rum'un
68
Beck
28, 75
Cedar Pencil
78
Beetle
Chance
88
Baing
Being one's share
Betsv
16
29
Chapman
Chaiiev, play the
Cherubidin .
86,87
35
64
Betty Martin, That's
Chife
41
all me eye and . . .
Bever
66,71
8
Chitterlings
Cholder
6,29
55
Bighes
Bile
12
83
Christmas
Chummy
25
83
Bing
22
Chump
30
Birds, East Anglian 41 to 52
Bish-a-barneybees... 35,82
Church-hole
Clates
83
83
Bishimer
62
Click
62
Bloodulfs
37
Clink
23
Boiler
22
Clip
5
Boke
99
Closes
26
Bor 5,
38, 77
Clout
23
Botty
97
Clung 41
53,99
Brawn
7
Clutch
61
Breakin'abit
63
Cobble
83
Breck
87
Colder ... 28,73,77,79
PAUE
PAGE
Comeback
8
Do ... 25,
27, 37, 52, 63
Contain
57
Doatedtree ...
92
Comforter
27
Dodman
... 7,30
Cooshies
22
Doke
... 24,29
Cop
.. 5,22
Donkey-legs ...
36
Corder
A 73, 77
Don't ... ...
... 25,27
Corker ...
60
Don't ought
... 53,63
CoquiUes
78
Doss
.. 84,85
Cosh
83
Dotts
56
Cosset
... 8,57
Uouse-a-bit
... 40,68
Cranky
30
Dow
... 23,58
Crick
66
Down-pin
... 41
Grimalkin
58
Dowshie
28
Crinkley-crankley
Crock
55
98
Drant
Draw-latchin' ...
r iO
41
Crome
29
Dreep, on the ...
fc6
Crowd
... 5,21
Driftway
i.9
Crow-keepers ...
Crumb
72
27
Drug
Drum
84
65
Crumplin'
20
Dudder
16, 18, 19, 21
Crush
98
Dudman
... 58
Cubbaw
67
Dullor
3, 15, 20, 63
Culch
6
Dump
... 84
Cum-harley ...
,. 12,22
Dumplindust ...
84
Cirm-hether ...
... 8,12
Dutna
3
Cup-bear
12,28,57
27
Cussey
85
Duzzy
... 14,29
Dwil3 !.. '.'.'.
... 22,29
Dydling
... 77
Dabster
99
D'youdut
88
Daft
84
Dag
... 2,74
Daices-headed ...
... 85,94
Ear
72
Dams
77
Ecclester
70
Dang
8,29,57
Euow
... 24,58
Danns
54
Dannies
88
Dauuock
18,60,85
Fang
... 27, 99
Dardle dum due
94
Fare
... 14,25
Darn
8,29,57
Fatagued
Da' say
67
Fawny
'.'.'. 27
Dead-a-Bird ...
... 2,90
Feeten
85
Deceit
63
Fence
61
Deen
... 6,21
Ferry-fake .
56
Deficiency
58
Few
60
Deke 2, 10,15, 17,
19,20,22,
Finnickin'
60
24, 31, 35, 36, 39,
Denesquittin' ...
67, 75, 94
14
Fishimer
Flare-up
62
94
Dibbling
Dickey
84
... 8,20
Flat
Fleet
61
... 62,77
Dickey-shud ...
Dike
88
.. 36,53
Fleeten
Fliglit-of-bees..
73
84
Ding
Dingle
32
27
Flopped
Forgive
55
25
PAGE PAGE
Tangle-leg
83
Unsensed
62
Tantrums
6,29
Tarnation
9
Vardle
86
T'do
27
Tempest
Terrify
Thape-pie
Thew
21
59
86
4
Wadges 55
Wake 33,94
Walentin' Good Mor-
Thongy
Thow
Timbered
Time
2
'87
27
rer
Wamp
Wank
Wanklin'
"Want
t>i
M
93
6t
Ting
Tissicking
Titchy
84
26
71
Wanten"" ".'
"Wap
61
M
Titty
Titty totty
Titter-ma-torter
Toad in the hole
Together
Tom and Jerry shop
20
56
56,81
84
2,9
67
39
^Varp
Water-delf
Water-eynd
Water-shutin'
Wednesday, Won't get
further than
Welt
2
77
86
25
61
Top sawyer
Toward
Towney
Trape
Trapen
Traunce
Tremble
84
8,22
40
27
PO
92
Whasking
Wheatsel
Wheesh 12,38,57
Whopper
Wimple-trees ...
Wind-jammers
Winnock
40
3
,91
60
37
84
6
Triculate ..'.' '.'.
Troll
Tumbler
Tupe
Tupp
12
25
'2?
84
Without 27
Wittery 94
Woorree 8
Woosh 22,23,52
Wort, over 22
Tussock
3
Twilt
T winters
85
86,87
Yard of Plum Pudding
41
13
Twizzling
T'year
27
Tipper
Yows
60
23
BROAD NORFOLK.
OUR English language, in virtue of its being
a living language, is periodically importing
fresh words into its vocabulary as they become
fashionable, and is gradually getting rid of
useless and cumbersome terms. Illustrations
of the latter process will occur to everybody.
Examples of terms of recent importation now
generally adopted as good English are such as
embarrass, chagrin, grimace, repartee, all of
which, according to one of Dryden's plays,
were considered affected in the latter half of
the seventeenth century. Provincial English is
often treated with the most unmerited contempt,
and no one seems disposed to go to its rescue.
Yet after all, what are commonly sat down as
vulgarisms, are to a great extent, only terms
used in more or less remote part? of the country
by people who have not kept abreast with the
advance of the language. The man who speaks
broad Norfolk, for instance, is at once stamped
as below the mark in intelligence ; but the
genuine Norfolk countryman is justly entitled
to boast that he is never guilty of the un-
speakable vulgarism of the townsfolk, who are
seldom so happy as when they are running
amuck amongst the h's. Oar own county of
Norfolk can boast of a prolific vocabulary of
provincialisms ; types, for the most part, as
philologists tell us, not of bad but merely of
BROAD NORFOLK.
antiquated English. Several illustrations
suggest themselves to me ; scores of others no
doubt will readily occur to readers who have
seen the inside of a farmyard or come across a
typical agricultural labourer.
The words dag, smur, and scud, employed to
mean a driving drizzle of rain, are all provincial,
if they are not peculiar to Norfolk. Dag, it is
worthy of note, once signified a dew, whilst
scud, in its legitimate sense, refers solely to the
actual clouds. To speak of roky weather implies
thick, foggy weather. The word evidently is
connected with reek (to steam), but its use,
though common enough in this county, is
not confined to Norfolk. Again, thongy, a
thoroughly Norfolk term, describes the oppres-
sive heat which often occurs between two
summer showers. Noah's Ark is a singular
name given to three lines of cloud stretching
overhead from the S.W., and supposed to indi-
cate fine weather.
Pulk-hole denotes an open cess-pool. Water-
del/ is used of an ordinary drainage
hole by the roadside, the suffix obviously being
from the root delve, to dig. Hull is a popular
word, meaning a wide ditch of water. Possibly
it is a contraction of hollow, used by Addison
to indicate a channel or canal. Deke a bank,
and has nothing to do with ditch (cf. the Dutch
dike] ; it is one of the commonest of Norfolk
terms, but its origin is obscure.
Bird, in sporting parlance is a partridge. It
is interesting to note that deer in the same way
once meant any animal ('* Rats and mice, and
such small deer "). However, I don't suggest
that bird is ever likely to have so exclusive a
meaning as- deer now possesses. What is the
force of together in " spreed yarselves out
together," a direction I have heard given to
BROAD NORFOLK.
beaters by a head gamekeeper ? And what,
too, is the history of the word duller in
" Howld yew yar duller,' 1 '' addressed to a noisy
" dorg?"
Wheatsel is a pretty word, meaning " Wheat
drilling." Thus, " We've finished wheatsel "
" all our wheat is in." Here the idea is " seed-
time," but in haysel, for instance, the notion
conveyed is that of harvest.
Pn't/, stitch are both used to describe the space
between two double furrows.
Didfin a halter. " Fetch a dutfin and show
the animal off " is a common expression.
Tussock is an excellent 'Old English term for
a tuft or a sod of grass. It is obsolete so far as
the national vocabulary is concerned, and is
obsolescent even in remote rural districts.
Heiyn (heighten) to raise wages.
Gotch jug.
Loke a " blind " lane.
To hank up a gate to sneck or fasten it.
Fosey over-ripe.
Lim to suck. E.g., of a bifcoh, the pups
wil Urn her to deed cause her death by sucking.
Tumbler, for tumbrel. Since the word is
used of a cart made so as to tip up, " tumbler"
is more logical than "tumbrel." Yet " tumbler "
is hardly considered respectable.
Muck-crome is a capital word, but is entirely
local.
Lit stain. This occurs in an old saying,
" There's not a blot but will lit" The word
or the proverb is said to be early Danish. I
don't know whether anybody has met with it
outside this county ; at any rate, it is a note-
worthy survival.
Fye to dress corn. Thus, to go a-fyin,
might mean to run wheat through the dressing
machine.
BROAD NORFOLK.
An odd vowel change may often be observed.
As, for instance,
e for o in sneiv for snow^
i for e in /ma-bird for hen-bird.
o and even eu for au in thow or tlieiv for
thaw.
for a in fond for land, sond for sand, and
grovel-hole for gravel hole.
1 think it is Trench who has pointed out how
much richer, at least in rural terms, the
English language would be if it adopted freely
from its country dialects. C-H.
(BY THE AUTHOR OF "GILES'S TRIP TO
LONDON, " (fee.)
The first half of iny life was passed in
the southern parts of Suffolk, and the
latter half has been passed in Norfolk. So far
as the provincialisms made use of in the two
counties are concerned, I think there is not
much difference. There is, however, a great
contrast in the style of speech. Suffolk
speaks in a kind of sing-song ; Norfolk in a
more broad and sustained tone. There is
nothing in Suffolk to answer to the way in
which the a in certain words is pronounced in
Norfolk. Here we say pauper and baaker, the a
being drawn out at extraordinary length. This
peculiarity does not exist in the sister county.
Neither d the people in Suffolk say rume for
room, or glumy for gloomy, as we do here.
Neither do they drop the h, as the inhabitants
of many parts of Norfolk do in some words. A
Mid-Norfolk man will say, and even
write, for instance, trow for throw, tree
for three, troat for throat, and so on.
Many of the provincialisms are, as I have said,
BROAD XORFOLK.
commoii to both counties. I will run over a
few of them, merely premising that I shall
give none which I have not myself heard in
the cottages of the peasantry and in the roads
and fields.
The terms applied by men and women to
each other are interesting. A gi~l is
called a mawther, which, in addressing her,
becomes maw. " "Where have you been,
maw ? " But she is also called a
fine strappen mawther. A lad is
addressed as " bor," and he is said
to be a great huddren fellow, or a loose hufkin*
rascal. If boys or girls are large or jolly they
are said to be $ivac\~en ; if they are awkward
they are called gawky; when out of temper
they are runty ; and when they are half-witted
and shiftless they are described as gutless.
There are many terms to express their doings.
They lollop or lummuclc aoout, or they sarnter
in the lanes. In the winter time girls and boys
pample in the mud, and at all times
clamber up walls or trees. The girls
cop balls, the boys cail stones, and both of them
hull all sorts of things about. A man will
hull on his coat, and a women will hull on her
bonnet. A man will give directions to hull a
scuppet into the barrow and crowd it up the hill.
The scuppet, of course, is a shovel, and to
"crowd" is to drive or push. I have even
heard of a man who went into a chemist's shop
in North Norfolk and asked for " a punno' o'
pills to hull a wummen into a sweat." One boy
will give another a clip o' the head or a soivse o'
the skull, and I once heard a fellow say he had
given another a sisserara.
There are a good many terms used inside the
cottage which are expressive and peculiar. If
you go in when the baby is sleeping, the
IRQ An NORFOLK.
mother will probably hold up her finger and
say, " Don't make a deen," which means
don't utter a sound. The wick of the candles
which at one time were burned in every cottage
was called a snaast, which the snuffers were used
to trim, but if they should not be at hand,
the finger and thumb of the father or of one of
the boys would do the work. The girl would
be sent with a gotch to the well, and if she
should spill any of the water on the floor, she
would be ordered to clean up the sividge. If
she was disagreeable and put herself into
tantrums, or begun to winnock (i.e., cry), she
would perhaps be cut off with only a hunch
of bread, with maybe an ingen (onion),
for her dinner. If the mother happened
to be ill she would perhaps tell you that she
was tired of sorzhs, the slops which the doctor
ordered her, and add that they were nothing
but culch. Sometimes she would tie a hand-
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