*Sheep-bed(Ship-bed). When a labourer had drunk too much, he would 'take a ship-bed,' i.e. lie down like a sheep to sleep in a grass-field, till he was sober.—N.W., obsolete.
Sheep's-cage. The same asLamb's-cage.—N.W.
Sheep-sleight. See Sleight (D.). Common in Wilts (Jackson'sAubrey, p. 10).
Sheer. Sharp, cutting. 'Uncommon sheer air s'marnin', yunnit?'—N.W.
Shekel. (1) The old reaping sickle, now quite superseded by the vagging-hook. The firsteis long. An old labourer, on being asked how he used to sharpen his ancient reaping-sickle, said, 'I did allus use to car' a grab [crab-apple] wi' me, an' draa my shekel droo un,' the acid biting like aquafortis into the curiously serrated edge of the steel, and renewing it without injury. Farm-lads still sharpen their knives thus. SeeGreat Estate, ch. v; alsoSummer in Somerset.—N.W., obsolete. (2) The fork in which 'elms' are carried up to the thatcher.—N.W.
Shepherds'-crowns. FossilEchini.—N.W.
*Shepherds'-pedler.Capsella Bursa-pastoris, L., Shepherds' purse.
Shepherds'-Thyme.Polygala calcarea, Sch., Chalk Milkwort.—S.W. (Salisbury, Bishopstone, Little Langford, &c.).
Shepherds'-weatherglass.Anagallis arvensis, L., Scarlet Pimpernel.—N. & S.W.
Shewent. SeeSewent.
Shick-shack. SeeShitsack.
*Shim. It seems. 'He's a fine fellow, shim' (A.B.C.H.Wr.).—N.W.
'This word is rather of Glocestershire, but it is nevertheless in use on the North Border of Wilts.'—Cunnington MS.
'This word is rather of Glocestershire, but it is nevertheless in use on the North Border of Wilts.'—Cunnington MS.
*Shimmy.Convolvulus sepium, L., Great Bindweed. Reported to us as 'Chemise.'—S.W. (Little Langford.)
Shirp, orShrip. (1) 'To shirp off,' to shred or cut off a little of anything.—S.W. (2) 'To shrip up,' to shroud up the lower boughs of roadside trees, to cut off the side twigs of a hedge or bush.—N.W.
*Shirt-buttons. Flowers ofStellaria Holostea, Greater Stitchwort.—S.W. (Deverill.)
Shitabed.Leontodon Taraxacum, L., Dandelion (H.).—N.W.
Shitsack, orShitzack. An oak-apple (H.Wr.). Oak-apple and leaf (S.).—N. & S.W.
Shitsack, or Shick-shack Day. King Charles' day, May 29. The children carryShitsack, sprigs of young oak, in the morning, andPowder-monkey, orEven-Ash, ash-leaves with an equal number of leaflets, in the afternoon. SeeWild Life, ch. v.—N. & S.W. (Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
Shivery-bivery. All in a shake with cold or fright.—N.W.
Shog. To sift ashes, &c., by shaking the sieve.—N.W. (Devizes, Huish, &c.)
Shog off. To decamp in a hurried, stealthy, or cowardly manner (A.B.C.).—N.W.
Shoot,Shute. (1) A young female pig of three or four months old (D.).—N. & S.W. (2)Fore-shoot and Backward-shoot, the pieces of wood immediately behind the coulter of a plough (D.). (3) A precipitous descent in a road; a steep narrow path.—N. & S.W.
Shord. SeeShard.
Shore.n.The edge of a ditch on the meadow side (Wild Life, ch. xviii).—N.W.
'A Mearstone lyinge within the Shoore of the Dyche.'—Perambulation of the Great Park of Fasterne, 1602.
'A Mearstone lyinge within the Shoore of the Dyche.'—Perambulation of the Great Park of Fasterne, 1602.
Shot, orShut of, to be. To rid one's self of a thing. 'Her can't get shut o' thuck there vool of a bwoy.'-N. & S.W.
Shoulder, to put out the. At Clyffe Pypard and Hilmarton it is customary to ask a man whose banns have been published once, 'How his shoulder is?'—because you have heard that it has been 'put out o' one side,' owing to his having 'vallen plump out o' the pulput laas' Zunday.' Next Sunday will 'put'n straight agean.' This implies that the banns were formerly published from the pulpit.—N.W.
Showl. A shovel (A.B.D.); occasionally a spade (D.).—N. & S.W.
Shrammed. Chilled to the bone, benumbed, perished with cold (A.B.M.S.).—N. & S.W.
'I was half-shrammed (i.e. perished with cold) on the downs.—Monthly Mag.1814.
'I was half-shrammed (i.e. perished with cold) on the downs.—Monthly Mag.1814.
Shrift. SeeShaft-tide.
*Shrigging. Hunting for apples (S.). SeeGrigglesandScriggle.—S.W.
Shrill. To shudder. 'I never couldn't eat fat bacon—I do allus shrill at it.'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Shrimps. A particular kind of sweets.—N. & S.W.
Shrowd. (1) To trim off the lower boughs of a tree (S.).—N. & S.W. (2) To cut a tree into a pollard. See Polly.—N. & S.W.
Shrub. To rub along somehow, to manage to live after some sort of a fashion. 'I do shrub along middlin' well, when I bain't bad wi' the rheumatiz.' A sibilated form ofrub.—N. & S.W., occasionally.
Shrump up. To hunch up the shoulders. 'Don't shrump up your shoulders like that!'—N.W.
Shucks. Husks of oats, &c.—S.W.
Shuffet. To shuffle along hurriedly.—N.W.
*Shurne.Cacare(MS. Lansd.1033, f. 2), Cp. A.S.scearn, dung.—Obsolete.
Shut. (1)v.To join together; used of welding iron, splicing a rope, joining woodwork, laying turf, &c.—N. & S.W. (2)n.The point of junction, as where rick is built against rick.—N. & S.W. (3)adj.SeeShot.
Shutleck,Shutlock(S.). SeeWaggon.
Sibilated words. These are somewhat common in Wilts, asSnotch, notch;Spuddle, puddle;Scrunch, crunch;Spyzon, poison;Spicter, picture.
Sick. 'Turnip-sick,' of land, exhausted as regards turnip-growing (Great Estate, ch. i). 'Tater-sick,' &c.—N.W.
Sideland ground. Sloping ground on a hillside.—N.W.
Sidelong,Sideling. (1) With one side higher than the other (Wild Life, ch. vi). 'I wur nigh upset, th' rwoad wur that sideling.'—N. & S.W. (2) Sittingsidelong, i.e. with the side towards the spectator (Gamekeeper at Home, ch. ii).
Sig. SeeSeg(S.).—S.W.
Sight. A quantity, as 'a sight o' vawk,' 'a main sight o' rain.'—N. & S.W.
*Sil. Seldom. 'Sowle-grove sil lew,' February is seldom warm (H.).—Obsolete.
Silgreen.Sempervivum tectorum, L., Houseleek (Village Miners). A.S.singréne. SeeSungreen—N.W.
*Sillow,Sullow, orSul. A kind of plough (D.). A.S.sulh.—S.W., obsolete.
'Sylla, a plough, was used at Bratton within the memory of persons still living.Sylla-foot, orZilla-fut, was a guiding piece of wood alongside of the share.'—MissWaylen.
'Sylla, a plough, was used at Bratton within the memory of persons still living.Sylla-foot, orZilla-fut, was a guiding piece of wood alongside of the share.'—MissWaylen.
*Silver-bells. The double Guelder-rose of gardens.—N.W. (Cherhill.)
Silver-fernorSilver-grass.Potentilla Anserina, L., which has fern-like silvery foliage.—N. & S.W.
Sim.n.A smell, as of burning wool or bone. 'That there meat hev got a main sim to 't.'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
*Simbly. To seem.—N.W.
'He've a bin and tuk dree bottles o' doctor's stuff; but I'll be whipped if a do zimbly a bit th' better var't.'—Wilts Tales, p. 137.
'He've a bin and tuk dree bottles o' doctor's stuff; but I'll be whipped if a do zimbly a bit th' better var't.'—Wilts Tales, p. 137.
Simily. Apparently, as 'Simily 'tis a bird.'—N.W.
Simmin. It seems. 'Simmin to I 'tis gwain' thic way.'—N.W.
Sinful. Excessively, as 'sinful ornary,' very ugly.—N.W.
Sinful-ordinary. Plain to the last degree in looks.—N.W.
'I once knew a young gentleman in the Guards who was very ordinary-looking—what is called in Wiltshire "sinful ordinary."'—Illust. London News, March 23, 1889.
'I once knew a young gentleman in the Guards who was very ordinary-looking—what is called in Wiltshire "sinful ordinary."'—Illust. London News, March 23, 1889.
Singreen. SeeSungreen.—S.W.
Skag, Skeg. (1)v.To tear obliquely.—N.W. (2)n.A ragged or oblique tear in clothes, such as is made by a nail.—N.W.
Skeart. To cause to glance off, as a pane of glass diverts shot striking it at an angle.—N.W.
Skeer. (1) To skim lightly and quickly over a surface, barely touching it, as a ball does along ice.—N.W. (Malmesbury.) *(2) To mow summer-fed pastures lightly.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
Skeer-devil,Skir-devil.Cypselus apus, the Common Swift.—N.W. (Malmesbury, &c.)
Skewer-wood.Euonymus Europaeus, L., Spindle-tree.—N.W.
Skewy,Skeowy. When the sky shows streaks of windy-looking cloud, and the weather seems doubtful, it is said to 'look skeowy.'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.) Compare:—
'Skew: thick drizzle or driving mist.'—Jago'sCornish Glossary.
'Skew: thick drizzle or driving mist.'—Jago'sCornish Glossary.
*Skiel. A cooler used in brewing beer (A.B.G.H.Wr.).
Skiffley. Showery. Perhaps from O.E.skyfte, to change.—S.W.
Skillet. A round pot to hang over the fire.—N.W.
Skillin,Skilling. A pent-house (A.C.S.); an outhouse or cow-shed. A.S.scyldan, to protect; Old Germ.schillen, to cover (A.).Skillionis used in Australia for a small outhouse.—N. & S.W.
Skimmenton,Skimmenton-riding. A serenade of rough music got up to express disapproval in cases of great scandal and immorality. The orthodox procedure in N. Wilts is as follows: the party assembles before the houses of the offenders, armed with tin pots and pans, and performs a serenade for three successive nights. Then after an interval of three nights the serenade is repeated for three more. Then another interval of the same duration and a third repetition of the rough music for three nights—nine nights in all. On the last night the effigies of the offenders are burnt.Houssetis the same thing. The word and the custom have emigrated to America.—N.W.
Skimmer-cake. A cake made of odd scraps of dough (S.). SeeSkimmer-lad.—S.W.
Skimmer-lad. A dunch-dumpling, or piece of dough put on a skimmer and held in the pot while boiling.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Skippet. The long-handled ladle used for filling a water-cart, emptying a hog-tub, &c.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Skipping-ropes. Sprays ofClematis Vitalba, L., Traveller's Joy.—S.W. (Bishopstone.)
Skit. A passing shower (Great Estate, ch. i).—N.W.
*Skive. To shave or slice (Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 113).—N.W. (Cherhill.)
Skram. SeeScram.
Skug, Sqwug. A squirrel. 'I say, there's a skug! Let's have a cock-shot at him with your squailer.'—N. & S.W.
Slack. Impudence, cheek (S.). 'I'll ha' none o' your slack!'—S.W.
Slammock,Slummock. A slattern.Slammick(S.).—N. & S.W.
Slan. A sloe (A.). A.S.slán, pl. ofslá, sloe.—N.W. (Castle Eaton, &c.)
'Those eyes o' yourn be as black as slans.'—Wilts Tales, p. 81.
'Those eyes o' yourn be as black as slans.'—Wilts Tales, p. 81.
Slang-up, orSlang-uppy. Untidy, slatternly.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Slat. (1)v.To split or crack (A.B.S.). 'Thuc plate's slat.'—N. & S.W. (2)n.A crack. 'What a girt slat thur is in un.'—N. & S.W. (3)n.A slate (A.). 'Thur's a slat blowed off.'—N.W.
Slay. SeeSleight.
Sleek. (1)adj.Slippery. 'The rwoad's terrible sleek.'—N.W. (2)n.Sleet.—N.W.
Sleight,Slay. (1)v.To pasture sheep on the downs (D.).—N.W. (2)n.Sheep-sleight, a sheep-down (D.); a pasture good for sheep.—N.W.
Slent. (1)v.To tear (S.). 'I've a bin an' slent ma yeppurn.'—S.W. (2)n.A tear or rent in clothes.—S.W.
Slewed,Slewy. Drunk (S.).—N. & S.W.
*Slickit. (1) A long thin slice (not a curly shaving) of wood (Village Miners).—N.W. (Berks bord.) (2) 'A slickit of a girl,' a young undeveloped girl (Ibid.).—N.W. (Berks bord.) Cp.Slacket, slim, Cornw.
Slide. The cross-bar on the tail of the fore-carriage of a waggon. See Waggon.—N.W.
Slip. To shed. Of a horse, to shed its coat.—N. & S.W.
Slippetty-sloppetty. Draggle-tailed, slovenly. 'I never zeed zich a slippetty-sloppetty wench in aal my barn days.'—N.W.
Slire.v.To look askance or out of the corners of your eye at anything.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
'"Why should you suspect him?" "Aw, a' be a bad 'un; a' can't look 'ee straight in the face; a' sort of slyers [looks askance] at 'ee."'—Greene Ferne Farm, ch. ix.
'"Why should you suspect him?" "Aw, a' be a bad 'un; a' can't look 'ee straight in the face; a' sort of slyers [looks askance] at 'ee."'—Greene Ferne Farm, ch. ix.
*Slize. To look sly (A.B.H.Wr.). To look askance at any one.—N.W.
Slocks. SeeSlox.
Slocks about. To go about in an untidy slatternly way.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Sloe. In S. Wilts, about Salisbury, the large fruit is known as Sloes or Slues, and the small as Snags; in N. Wilts, at Huish,Slŏnsare large andHedge-speäkssmall, while at Clyffe Pypard the same terms are used, but the latter is not confined to the small fruit. At CherhillHilpsandPicksare the names.Sluesis used in both N. and S. Wilts, andSlŏnsorSlănsin N. Wilts.
Slommakin.adj.Of females, untidy, slatternly (S.).—N. & S.W. (Malmesbury, &c.)
*Sloop. To change (A.H.Wr.). Perhaps a perversion ofslew, or a misreading ofswopin badly written MS.
Slop about. To shuffle about in a slipshod slovenly fashion.—N. & S.W.
Sloppet. (1)v.The same as Slop about.—N.W.
'He "sloppets" about in his waistcoat and shirt-sleeves.'—Hodge and his Masters, ch. xxiii.
'He "sloppets" about in his waistcoat and shirt-sleeves.'—Hodge and his Masters, ch. xxiii.
*(2)v.Applied to a rabbit's peculiar gait, and the manner in which it wears away and covers with sand the grass near its bury (Amateur Poacher, ch. ii).
Slouse. To splash about, as a horse or dog does in water.—N.W.
*Sloven's year. A wonderfully prosperous season, when even the bad farmer has good crops (Great Estate, ch. viii).
Slox,Slocks. To waste, to pilfer from employers (A.B.C.H.Wr.).—N.W.
Slummock. SeeSlammock.
Sly. 'A sly day' looks bright and pleasant, but the air has a chill nip in it. 'Sly cold' is the treacherous kind of cold raw weather that was very prevalent during the influenza epidemic two or three years ago.—N.W. (Huish.)
Smaak.n.'Aal in a smaak,' quite rotten; used of potatoes.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Smarm. To bedaub. 'Don't smarm me aal auver wi' they dirty paws o' yourn.'Smaam(S.).—N. & S.W.
Smart. A second swarm of bees.—N.W.
Smart,Smartish,adj.Considerable (H.), as 'a smartish lot o' vawk.'—N. & S.W.
Smeech. Dust.—S.W. (Salisbury, Hill Deverill, &c.)
Smeechy. Dusty.—N.W. (Cherhill.)
*Smicket. A smock or shift (A.).
Smother. A weed and rubbish fire in a garden.—N. & S.W.
Snag,Snaig. (1) A badly shaped or decayed tooth; often used of a child's first teeth.—N.W. (2) Fruit of the sloe, q.v. (S.).—S.W.
*Snag-bush.Prunus spinosa, L., the Sloe (Miss Plues).
Snake-fern.Pteris aquilina, L., Bracken.—S.W. (Deverill.)
Snake-flower. (1)Verbascum nigrum, L., Black Mullein. Children are cautioned not to gather it, because a snake may be hiding under the leaves.—S.W. (Salisbury.) (2)Stellaria Holostea, L., Greater Stitchwort.—S.W. (Barford.)
*Snake's-head.Potentilla Tormentilla, Sibth., Tormentil.—S.W. (Zeals, Hill Deverill, &c.)
*Snake-skin Willow.Salix triandra, L., so called because it sheds its bark (Great Estate, ch. v).
*Snake's-victuals.Arum maculatum, L. Cuckoo-pint.—N.W.
'In August ... she found the arum stalks, left alone without leaves, surrounded with berries.... This noisome fruit ... was "snake's victuals," and ... only fit for reptile's food.'—Great Estate, ch. ii.
'In August ... she found the arum stalks, left alone without leaves, surrounded with berries.... This noisome fruit ... was "snake's victuals," and ... only fit for reptile's food.'—Great Estate, ch. ii.
Snap. A trap, asMouse-snap,Wont-snap.—N. & S.W., occasionally.
Snaps, Snap-jacks.Stellaria Holostea, L., Greater Stitchwort.—S.W.
*Snap-willow.Salix fragilis, L., from its brittleness (Great Estate, ch. v).
Snead,Snaith. The pole of a scythe (A.). A.S.snǽd.—N.W.
Snig. A small eel.—S.W.
Sniggle. (1) To snigger.—S.W. (2) 'To sniggle up,' to toady or endeavour to ingratiate yourself with any one.—S.W.
*Sniggling. 'A sniggling frost,' a slight frost that just makes the grass crisp.—S.W. (Steeple Ashton.)
Snig-pot. An eel-trap.—S.W.
Snippy. Mean, stingy.
Snivett. A newt. Perhaps a sibilated form ofEvet.—N.W.
Snop. (1)v.To hit smartly, as in chipping a stone.—N. & S.W. (2)n.A smart blow (S.), as 'A snop on the yead.'—N. & S.W.
Snotter-gall. The yew-berry, probably from its slimy pulp.—N. & S.W.
Snotty. (1) 'A snotty frost,' a slight crisp rime frost.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.) (2) Nasty, dirty, mean.—N. & S.W.
Snowball-tree. The double Guelder-rose.Snowballs, its blossoms.—N. & S.W.
Snow-blunt. A slight snowstorm.—N. & S.W. SeeBlunk.
Snow-in-harvest, orSnow-in-summer.Cerastium tomentosum, L.—S.W.
Snowl. (1)n.A large piece of anything (S.). 'Gie I a good snowl o' bread, mother!'—N. & S.W. *(2)n.The head.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
Snow-on-the-mountains. (1)Saxifraga granulata, L., White Meadow Saxifrage.—S.W. (2) White Cress.—N. & S.W.
Snuff-rag. A pocket-handkerchief (S.).—N. & S.W. (Lockeridge, &c.) Also used formerly at Clyffe Pypard, N.W.
Sobbled. Soddened, soaked with wet (Village Miners).—N.W.
*Soce. Friends; addressed to the company generally, as 'Well, soce, an' how be ye all to-day?'—N.W. (Malmesbury.) Very rarely heard in Wilts, but common in Dev. and Som. It is probably a relic ofSocii, as used by monkish preachers. In the old ghost-story in Jefferies'Goddard Memoir(see Waylen'sHistory of Marlborough, p. 555), the use of the wordsoas(there speltsource) by one of the characters is alluded to in such a way as to show that it was looked on as a curious peculiarity of his. SeeW. Somerset Words.
Sod-apple.Epilobium hirsutum, L., Great Hairy Willow-herb, from its smell when crushed.—N.W.
'Willow herb ... country folk call it the sod-apple, and say the leaves crushed in the fingers have something of the scent of apple-pie.'—Great Estate, ch. ii.
'Willow herb ... country folk call it the sod-apple, and say the leaves crushed in the fingers have something of the scent of apple-pie.'—Great Estate, ch. ii.
*Soft-tide. The three days next before Lent (Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 113).—N.W. (Cherhill.)
Sog. Soft boggy ground (S.).—N. & S.W. (Malmesbury, &c.)
Sogging-wet. Soaked.—N.& S.W.
Soldiers.Papaver Rhoeas, &c., Red Poppy.—S.W.
Soldiers'-buttons.Arctium Lappa, L., Burdock.—S.W. (Hamptworth.)
Soldiers-sailors-tinkers-tailors.Lolium perenne, L.—S.W.
Souse. 'Pigs'-sousen,' pigs'-ears.—N.W. (Malmesbury, Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
*Sow-flower.Sonchus oleraceus, L., Sowthistle.—(Lyneham.)
*Sowle-grove. February. (A.H.Wr.)—Obsolete.
'The shepherds and vulgar people in South Wilts call Februarie "sowlegrove," and have this proverb of it:—"Soulgrove sil lew,"—February is seldome warme—silproseld, seldome.'—Aubrey,Anecdotes, Camden Society, cxlvii.
'The shepherds and vulgar people in South Wilts call Februarie "sowlegrove," and have this proverb of it:—"Soulgrove sil lew,"—February is seldome warme—silproseld, seldome.'—Aubrey,Anecdotes, Camden Society, cxlvii.
Spade. The congealed gum of the eye (A.B.). AlsoSpadyin N. Wilts. A.S.sped, phlegm.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
*Spances. 'Raves or sides, spances, compose the waggon-bed' (D.).
Spanky. Showy, dashing (A.B.).—N.W.
Spar. In thatching, the 'elms' are fastened down with 'spicks' or 'spars,' split hazel rods, pointed at both ends, and bent into hairpin shape, with a twist just at the bend to give them a tendency when fixed to spring outwards, and so hold faster.—S.W.
Sparked, Sparky. Of cattle, mottled or of two colours (D.); pied, variegated (Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 225).—N. & S.W.
'One of the earliest indictments on the roll of the Hilary Sessions [Wilts], 1603-4, tells ofquatuor vaccas quar' due color sparked et una alia coloris rubri et altera color browne.'—Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 225-6.
'One of the earliest indictments on the roll of the Hilary Sessions [Wilts], 1603-4, tells ofquatuor vaccas quar' due color sparked et una alia coloris rubri et altera color browne.'—Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 225-6.
Sparked-grass.Phalaris arundinacea, L., Striped Ribbon-grass.—S.W. (Som. bord.)
*Spawl. A chip or splinter from a stone.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
Spear. (1)n.A stalk of reed-grass (S.).—N.W. (2)v.SeeSpurl.—S.W.
Spend. To turn out. 'How do your taters spend to-year?'—N.W.
Spick. (1) In thatching, the same asSpar.—S.W. (2) Lavender.Spick(Som. bord.), andSpike(Hants bord.).—S.W.
Spikenard. (1) Lavender.—N.W., occasionally. (2)Anthoxanthum odoratum, L., Sweet Vernal-grass.—N.W. (Bromham.)
Spill. (1) The long straight stalk of a plant.—N.W. (Malmesbury.) *(2) 'To run to spill,' to run to seed.—N.W. (Malmesbury.) *(3) Hence, figuratively, to be unproductive.—N.W. (Malmesbury, occasionally.)
Spit, Spet. (1)n.'The very spit of his father,' his very image (Wilts Tales, p. 31). Cf.Spit, to lay eggs (Skeat). Just like (S.).—N. & S.W. (2)v.'To spit up the ground,' to work the surface lightly over.—N. & S.W.
Splash. Commoner form ofPlash, q.v.—N.W.
*Split-fig. A short-weight grocer (S.).—S.W.
Sploach. To splutter (S.).—S.W.
Sprack. (1) Lively, active (A.B.C.S.); alsoSprag(B.).—N. & S.W.
'That's a sprack mare o' yourn.'—Wilts Tales, p. 68.
'That's a sprack mare o' yourn.'—Wilts Tales, p. 68.
(2) Intelligent, quick (A.C.).—N. & S.W.
'He had picked up a few words and phrases with which he sometimes "bothered" his neighbours, who thought Jem "a mortal sprack chap"; but in truth he was a great fool.'—Wilts Tales, p. 65.
'He had picked up a few words and phrases with which he sometimes "bothered" his neighbours, who thought Jem "a mortal sprack chap"; but in truth he was a great fool.'—Wilts Tales, p. 65.
Sprank. A sprinkling of anything. 'There be a good sprank o' fruit to-year.' Also used in Somerset.—N.W. (Mildenhall.)
*Sprawing. A sweetheart. This word is given for Wilts by Britton, Akerman, Halliwell, Wright, and others, but should be treated as a 'ghost-word,' and struck out of our glossaries. InCunnington MS.it is written asSprawny, q.v., but Britton when transcribing from that source would appear to have misread it asSprawing, probably not being himself acquainted with the word, while Akerman and others must simply have taken it blindly on his authority.
*Sprawny. A sweetheart (Cunnington MS.). A variant ofSprunny. See note onSprawing. A male sweetheart in Glouc.—N.W., obsolete.
'Whipped to some purpose will thy sprunny be.'—Collins,Miscellanies, 1762.
'Whipped to some purpose will thy sprunny be.'—Collins,Miscellanies, 1762.
Spreader. The thin pole or bar which keeps the traces apart(Wilts Tales, p. 173).—N.W.
*Spreath,Spreeth. Active, nimble, able (A.B.H.Wr.). 'He is a spreeth young fellow' (B.).
Spreathed. Of the skin, roughened or chapped by cold (B.S.) Spreazed (A.).—N. & S.W.
Spreyed. Of the skin, roughened by cold, but not chapped. Spryed on Som. bord.—S.W.
Spring. Of a cow, to show signs of calving.—N.W.
Spring-dag. A chilblain. Cf.Dag, a twinge of pain.—S.W.
Spring-flower. The garden Polyanthus.—N.W.
Spuddle. (1)v.To stir about (A.B.), to fuss about at doing trifles. 'He's allus a-spuddling about like, but there yen't nothen to show for 't ses I.'—N.W. (2) v. To make a mess (S.). A sibilated form ofpuddle.—S.W.
Spudgel. A wooden scoop (S.).—N. & S.W.
Spuds. Potatoes (S.). Perhaps introduced by Irish harvesters.—N. & S.W.
*Spur. SeeSpurl.—S.W.
Spurl. To spread dung about the fields (S.). AlsoSpear,Spur, andSpurdle.—N. & S.W.
*Spurling-boards. Boards set to prevent the corn from flying out of the threshing-floor (D.).
Spur-stone. A projecting stone, set in the ground as a support to a post, or to protect anything near the roadway (Bevis, ch. v).
*Squab. The youngest or weakest bird of a brood or pig of a litter (A.). The 'darling' of a litter.—N.W. (Lockeridge.)
Squail,Sqwoil. (1) To throw (A.H.S.); used of sticks, not stones.—N. & S.W.
'In the orchard Bevis and Mark squailed at the pears with short sticks.'—Bevis, ch. xvi.'They would like to squail a stick at his high and ancient hat.'—Ibid.ch. xvi.
'In the orchard Bevis and Mark squailed at the pears with short sticks.'—Bevis, ch. xvi.
'They would like to squail a stick at his high and ancient hat.'—Ibid.ch. xvi.
(2)Fig.To do a thing awkwardly (H.), as 'Her went up the street a squailing her arms about.'—N.W. *(3) Cock-squoilin, throwing at cocks at Shrovetide (A.).—Obsolete. Bird-squoilin, killing birds with stones (S.). (4) Of a candle, to gutter.—N. & S.W.
Squailer,Squale,Squoile. A stick or loaded cane, used by boys for throwing at apples, rabbits, squirrels, &c.—N. & S.W.
'The handle of a "squailer" projected from Orion's coat-pocket. For making a squailer a tea-cup was the best mould:... A ground ash sapling with the bark on, about as thick as the little finger, pliant and tough, formed the shaft, which was about fifteen inches long. This was held upright in the middle of a tea-cup, while the mould was filled with molten lead. It soon cooled, and left a heavy conical knob on the end of the stick. If rightly thrown it was a deadly missile, and would fly almost as true as a rifle ball. A rabbit or leveret could thus be knocked over; and it was peculiarly adapted for fetching a squirrel out of a tree, because, being so heavy at one end, it rarely lodged on the boughs, as an ordinary stick would, but overbalanced and came down.'—Amateur Poacher, ch. iii.'The "squaler" came into use very early in the school's history, and was for years almost as much a part of the ordinary equipment of a Marlborough boy as a cricket-bat would now be. To later generations the very name probably conveys no meaning. The weapon itself was simple enough, though extremely formidable. It consisted of a piece of lead something the shape and about the size of a pear, with a cane handle about eighteen inches long. A squaler could be thrown a great distance and with terrific force, and at short ranges by the practised hands of the Marlburians of those days with great accuracy. Its ostensible purpose was squirrel-hunting, as the name suggests [No, it is not a contraction of "squirreller," but is fromsquail, to throw.—G.E.D.], but it came in handy for the larger quarry which the more adventurous tribes pursued and slew, such as rabbits, hares, and very frequently even deer. It lingered on as an article of local sale till the middle of the sixties; but ... was made contraband, and finally died out.'—History of Marlborough College, ch. ix. p. 94.'To make a squailer you provide yourself with an eighteen-inchlength of half-inch cane, two inches of which you sheath with tow and then insert in a ladle of molten lead. There you manipulate it in such sort that there is presently left to cool at the end of your cane a pear-shaped lump of lead of the weight experience has shown you to be proper. With this weapon an adept can bring down a squirrel from on high, or stop one on the level at five-and-twenty yards, almost to a certainty.'—W. F. WallerinNotes & Queries, 8th series, ii. p. 197. 'Another Marlborough mode of making it is to pour the melted lead into a cone composed of many folds of well-wetted paper, tied round the slightly notched upper end of the cane or ground ash.'—G. E. DartnellinN. & Q., 8th series, ii. p. 257. Also see various letters inN. & Q., 8th series, ii. pp. 149, 197, 257. Squailers were in use at the Grammar school as well as at the College, up to about 1867.
'The handle of a "squailer" projected from Orion's coat-pocket. For making a squailer a tea-cup was the best mould:... A ground ash sapling with the bark on, about as thick as the little finger, pliant and tough, formed the shaft, which was about fifteen inches long. This was held upright in the middle of a tea-cup, while the mould was filled with molten lead. It soon cooled, and left a heavy conical knob on the end of the stick. If rightly thrown it was a deadly missile, and would fly almost as true as a rifle ball. A rabbit or leveret could thus be knocked over; and it was peculiarly adapted for fetching a squirrel out of a tree, because, being so heavy at one end, it rarely lodged on the boughs, as an ordinary stick would, but overbalanced and came down.'—Amateur Poacher, ch. iii.
'The "squaler" came into use very early in the school's history, and was for years almost as much a part of the ordinary equipment of a Marlborough boy as a cricket-bat would now be. To later generations the very name probably conveys no meaning. The weapon itself was simple enough, though extremely formidable. It consisted of a piece of lead something the shape and about the size of a pear, with a cane handle about eighteen inches long. A squaler could be thrown a great distance and with terrific force, and at short ranges by the practised hands of the Marlburians of those days with great accuracy. Its ostensible purpose was squirrel-hunting, as the name suggests [No, it is not a contraction of "squirreller," but is fromsquail, to throw.—G.E.D.], but it came in handy for the larger quarry which the more adventurous tribes pursued and slew, such as rabbits, hares, and very frequently even deer. It lingered on as an article of local sale till the middle of the sixties; but ... was made contraband, and finally died out.'—History of Marlborough College, ch. ix. p. 94.
'To make a squailer you provide yourself with an eighteen-inchlength of half-inch cane, two inches of which you sheath with tow and then insert in a ladle of molten lead. There you manipulate it in such sort that there is presently left to cool at the end of your cane a pear-shaped lump of lead of the weight experience has shown you to be proper. With this weapon an adept can bring down a squirrel from on high, or stop one on the level at five-and-twenty yards, almost to a certainty.'—W. F. WallerinNotes & Queries, 8th series, ii. p. 197. 'Another Marlborough mode of making it is to pour the melted lead into a cone composed of many folds of well-wetted paper, tied round the slightly notched upper end of the cane or ground ash.'—G. E. DartnellinN. & Q., 8th series, ii. p. 257. Also see various letters inN. & Q., 8th series, ii. pp. 149, 197, 257. Squailers were in use at the Grammar school as well as at the College, up to about 1867.
Squailing. Clumsy, badly, or irregularly shaped, as 'a squailing loaf,' 'a squailing sort of a town,' &c. (H.).—N.W.
Square. Thatching is paid by the 'square,' which is 100 square feet.—N.W.
Squat. SeeSquot.
Squeak-Thrush. The Missel Thrush.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Squeeze-belly. A V-shaped stile.—N.W.
Squelch,Squelp. (1)adv.'A vell down squelch,' he fell heavily (A.B.).—N.W. (2)v.To squash to pieces, as a heavy stone would an egg.—N.W.
Squinney. (1)v.'To squinney round,' to peep about.—S.W. (2)n.'Squinney-hole,' a peep-hole. Sometimes also used of a hagioscope in a church.—S.W.
Squish. (1)v.Of soft or boggy ground, to give under foot with the peculiar spirt and sound that denote a water-logged condition. 'The rwoad wer squishing under I ael the waay to 'Vize.'—N. & S.W. (2)v.Of mud, to spirt and splash up as it does in a boggy place. 'It wer main hocksey, an' the muck squished up ael over I, purty nigh up to my eyes.'—N. & S.W.
Squishey.adj.Soft, wet, swampy.—N. & S.W.
'The ploughing engine be stuck fast up to the axle, the land be so soft and squishey.'—Wild Life, ch. vii.
'The ploughing engine be stuck fast up to the axle, the land be so soft and squishey.'—Wild Life, ch. vii.
Squoil. SeeSquail(S.).—S.W.
SquotorSquat. (1) n. A bruise (Aubrey'sWilts MS.).—N.W. (2)v.To bruise or crush (S.), as 'I've bin an' squot my thumb.' To bruise by compression (B.).—N.W.
Sqwawk. To squall out as a hen does when pulled off the nest.—N.W.
Stabble. v. Of ground, to poach up by continual treading, as near a field gateway (Village Miners). Children are always 'stabbling about' indoors, making a mess and litter.—N. & S.W.
Stack. 'A stack of elms'=either one score or two score of 'elms.'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Staddles,Staddle-stones. The pillars on which a rick stands (A.B.S.). Cf.Stavel(Steevilin S.W.). A.S. staðol.—N. & S.W.
Stael. SeeStale.
Stag,Steg. A rent in clothes.—N. & S.W.
Staid. Of mature age, elderly (S.).—N. & S.W.
Stake-and-ether-hedge. A wattled fence. SeeEther.—N.W.
Stale,Stael, orSteale. The long handle of any husbandry tool (A.B.). A.S.stel(in compounds).—N.W.
'A was as lang and as lane as a rake-stael.'—Wilts Tales, p. 177.'The peculiar broad-headed nail which fastens the mop to the stout ashen "steale," or handle.'—Wild Life, ch. iv.
'A was as lang and as lane as a rake-stael.'—Wilts Tales, p. 177.
'The peculiar broad-headed nail which fastens the mop to the stout ashen "steale," or handle.'—Wild Life, ch. iv.
*Standing,Stannin. A stall or small booth at a fair.Stannen(S.).—S.W.
Star-flower. (1)Potentilla Tormentilla, Sibth., Tormentil.—S.W. (Barford.) (2)Lysimachia nemorum, L., Wood Loosestrife.—S.W. (Barford.)
Stark.v.To dry up. 'The ground is got so stark—you see the hot sun after the rain did stark the top on't.'—N.W. (Hilmarton.)
Starky. (1) Stiff, dry (A.B.). Shrivelled up, as applied to things.—N.W. (2) Shrivelled and wasted by ill-health.—N.W.
*Stars.Campanula glomerata, L., Clustered Bellflower.—N.W. (Enford.)
Start. (1) An outing or pleasure-party. 'Wher be th' missus, Bill?' 'Whoy, off on a bit of a start.'—S.W. (2) A 'go.' 'That's a rum start, yun' it?'—N.W.
Starve. (1)v.'To starve with cold,' to be extremely cold; to cause anything to be cold. Chiefly used in past participle, as 'starved wi' th' cowld,' perished with cold. A.S.steorfan, to die. 'My old man he do starve I at nights wi' the cowld, 'cause he got a crooked leg, and he do sort o' cock un up 'snaw, and the draaft do get in under the bed-claus, and I be fairly starved wi' the cowld.'—N. & S.W. (2) SeeBird-starving.—N.W.
*Stavel-barn. A barn on stone pillars (Agric. Survey). SeeStaddles.
Steale. SeeStale.
Stean. (1)v.To 'stone,' or cover a path or road with gravel or small stones.—N.W. (2) 'To stean a well,' to line its sides with stone (S.).—S.W.
Steaner. The man who lays the second and inner rows of sheaves in building a wheat rick.—N.W.
Steanin. (1) A road made with small stones (A.).—N.W. (2) The built-up portion of a well.—S.W. SeeStean.
Steart. (1)n.The tang which fastens anything; the ring of a button, &c.—N.W. (2)n.The small iron rod, on the head of which the cappence of the old-fashioned flail played.—N.W. (3)n.A young ox. Apparentlysteer, withtexcrescent.—N.W.
Steer. The starling. A form ofStare.—N.W.
Steip. SeeStipe.
Stem. A period of time (A.H.S.), as 'a stem o' dry weather.' Work on the roads, &c., is done 'on the stem,' or 'by the stem.' A.S.stemn.—N. & S.W.
Stepple. A hoof-mark (Village Miners). Cf.Stabble.—N.W.
Stewer,Stour,Sture. Fuss, commotion.—S.W.
Stew up. To tidy up.—S.W.
Stick. To decorate with evergreens, &c. 'We allus sticks th' Church at Christmas,'—the decorations formerly consisting only of sprigs of holly stuck into holes in the backs of the pews.—N.W.
Stickle. To stick. 'They're as thick as they can stickle on it.'—S.W.
Stick-up.v.To make the first tentative advances towards courtship.—N.W., occasionally.
'I've bin a-stickin' up to another young ooman this summer, wi' a view to keepin' comp'ny wi' she.'—Dark, ch. xv.
'I've bin a-stickin' up to another young ooman this summer, wi' a view to keepin' comp'ny wi' she.'—Dark, ch. xv.
Stipe. 'The stipe o' the hill,' the steepest part.—N.W.
*Stipe,Steip. A dozen and a half of 'elms' (H.Wr.). 'Steip of helms, eighteen helms: Wilts.'—Holloway'sDict.—S.W.
Stived up. Shut up in a warm close place. Fighting cocks were formerly kept warm in a 'stive,' or kind of straw basket like a hive, whilst waiting their turn to fight.—N. & S.W.
Stoach. To plant potatoes with a 'stoacher.' In some countiesstoach=poach, to trample into holes.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
Stoacher. 'A tater stoacher,' a thick stake, with projecting notch on which the foot is placed to drive the sharpened point into the ground. The potatoes are dropped into the holes so made.—N.W.
Stobball-play. An old game, played with a withy-staff and a small ball, stuffed full of quills, said by Aubrey (Nat. Hist. Wilts, p. 117, ed. Brit.) to be peculiar to North Wilts, North Gloucester, and the neighbourhood of Bath; but probably a form ofstool-ball(H.Wr.).—N.W., obsolete.
'Illegal games ... mentioned are ... hand-ball, foot-ball, and stave-ball or "stobball"; (pilum manualem, pedalem, sive baculinam), "nine-holes" and "kittles."'—On the Self-government of Small Manorial Communities, as exemplified in the Manor of Castle Combe.—Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. iii. p. 156.
'Illegal games ... mentioned are ... hand-ball, foot-ball, and stave-ball or "stobball"; (pilum manualem, pedalem, sive baculinam), "nine-holes" and "kittles."'—On the Self-government of Small Manorial Communities, as exemplified in the Manor of Castle Combe.—Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. iii. p. 156.
Stodge. (1)n.Substantial food.—N.W. (2)v.To stuff gluttonously.Stodged, quite unable to cram down another morsel.—N.W.
Stodgy.adj.Of food, causing a feeling of repletion.—N.W.
Stogged. Stuck in the mud, bogged (S.).—N. & S.W.
Stoggy. Wet and sticky; used of ground that 'stogs' you, or in which you get 'stogged.'—N.W.
Stomachy.adj.Unbending (S.). Obstinate, headstrong, self-willed.—N. & S.W.
*Stone-bruise. A kind of corn on the foot. In an American trouting-yarn inFishing Gazette, December 17, 1892, p. 429, the following occurs:—
'It's just the age for "stone-bruises" in a boy, and he must have a pair of shoes any way.'
'It's just the age for "stone-bruises" in a boy, and he must have a pair of shoes any way.'
*Stone-osier.Salix purpurea, L. (Gamekeeper at Home, ch. viii).—N.W.
Stop. A hole in the ground—not in a hedgerow, but a few yards away, or on cultivated ground—where the doe rabbit has her young; said to be from her 'stopping' or covering it over when she leaves it. Also used in Hants.—N.W., common.
Storm-cock.Turdus viscivorus, Missel Thrush (Birds of Wilts, p. 129).—S.W.
Stout. The gadfly (A.B.). 'They stowuts be so terrifyin'.'—N.W.
Stowl. (1)n.The root of a timber-tree left in the ground after felling (A.B.C.); the stump of a bush or tree, in hedge or copse, cut off low down so as to form a stock from which underwood may spring (C.D.S.).—N. & S.W. (2)v.'To stowl out,' to shoot out thickly, as a bush cut off low down, or wheat which has been fed off when young.—N.W.
Strafe. To wander about.—N.W., occasionally.
Strapper. An Irish harvester or tramping labourer.—N.W.
Strawberry-leaved Geranium.Saxifraga sarmentosa, L. SeeHanging Geranium.—S.W.
Strick. SeeStrike.
*Strickle. SeeStritch.
*Striddling. The right to lease fallen apples after the gathering in of the crop. Cf.Griggling.
Strike,Strick. To slip up; to slip and swing out as a vehicle does when turning a corner fast on a slippery road. 'Her stricked up on thuck there slide, an' come down vlop.'—N. & S.W.
*Strim-strum.adj.Unmusical (S.).—S.W.
*Stripe. A fool, a simpleton (H.Wr.). Probably a mistake forStupe.
Strip-up.v.To shroud the lower part of a tree, as is usually done with hedgerow timber at intervals.—N. & S.W.
*Stritch,Strickle. A piece of wood used for striking off the surplus grain from a corn measure. A.S.stricol.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
*Strommelling. *(1) Awkward, ungainly (A.B.H.). *(2) Unruly (A.B.H.), as 'a strommellin' child.'
Strong. 'Strong a-dying,' at the point of death.—N.W.
*Strouter. A strut or support in the side of a waggon (S.).—S.W.
Stub. (1)n.A stump of a tree; a projecting root.—N. & S.W. (2)v.In walking, to strike the foot against a stub or projecting root.—N.W. *(3)v.'To stub off,' to cut off a bush or tree close to the ground (Agric. of Wilts, ch. x). (4) 'Stubs,' stubble, aswheat-stubs, barley-stubs(D.).—N.W.
Stubbed. A 'stubbed' broom is one much worn down by use, as opposed to a new one.—S.W.
*Stuck. A spike (A.).
Stud.v.To ponder over, think about. 'Don't 'ee stud upon 't so much.'—N. & S.W.
Studdle. To stir up water so as to make it thick and muddy.—N. & S.W.
Studdly,Stoddly. Thick, as beer before it settles after moving.—N.W. (Berks bord.)
*Stultch. A crutch, a boy's stilt (MS. Lansd.1033, f. 2). (H.Wr.). Stelch in Glouc.—Obsolete.
Stun.v.To cause to make no growth. 'Grass was stunned in its growth this season' (1892).—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard, Potterne, &c.)
Sture. SeeStewer.
Suant. SeeSewent.
Succour. (1)n.Shelter; a sheltered place. A tender plant is set 'in the succour of the wall'; and cattle on a cold wet day get 'in the succour of the hedge.' ''Tes gwain' to rain, for the wind's down in the succours,' i.e. hollows and sheltered places generally. On bleak parts of the Downs the cottages are mostly to be found in the succours.—N.W. (Huish, Clyffe Pypard, &c.)
'Goddard the elder being a copyholder of lands in Eylden within the Manner of Ogburne near adjoyning to His Majesties Chace being a place that in winter time was a special and usual succour for preserving the breed of young deer belonging to the Chace.'—Extract fromBondv.Goddard and others, 1636. SeeWilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxiii. p. 259.
'Goddard the elder being a copyholder of lands in Eylden within the Manner of Ogburne near adjoyning to His Majesties Chace being a place that in winter time was a special and usual succour for preserving the breed of young deer belonging to the Chace.'—Extract fromBondv.Goddard and others, 1636. SeeWilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxiii. p. 259.
(2)v.To shelter. An old-fashioned bonnet is said to 'succour' the ears. A cold wind cuts up cabbages, except where they are 'succoured' by bushes or walls.—N.W.
Suck-blood. The Common Leech.Zuckblood(S.).—S.W.
Suffer. To punish, to make to suffer. 'I'll suffer you, you young rascal!'—N.W.
*Suffy. To draw a deep and quick breath.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
Sugar-codlins.Epilobium hirsutum, L., Great Hairy Willow-herb.—N.W.
Suggy. Wood that is soaked with wet is said to be 'suggy.' SeeSog.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
*Suity. Even, regular (A.B.).
*Sultedge. A coarse apron, worn by poor women (A.B.C.).Sultredge(H.Wr.). By which is probably intended that the apron is made ofsultedge, or a kind of coarse sheeting.—N.W.
*Summer field. See quotation.
'In the four-field system, where the clover is sown the second year, and mowed the third, the field becomes in the fourth year what is called, in Wiltshire, a summer field.'—Agric. of Wilts, ch. vii.
'In the four-field system, where the clover is sown the second year, and mowed the third, the field becomes in the fourth year what is called, in Wiltshire, a summer field.'—Agric. of Wilts, ch. vii.
*Summer ground. See quotation.
'A custom upon two farms ... of feeding six oxen through the full range of all the summer ground belonging to the hither Beversbrook ... being the Home Close, the Middle Marsh, the Course Marsh, the Upper Lease, and Brewer's Lease; through the full range likewise of such summer grounds as belong to the yonder Beversbrook to be put in at Mortimers Gate and to feed to Burfurlong Corner, through all the afore mentioned grounds from the third of May to Michaelmas.'—Hilmarton Parish Terrier, 1704. SeeWilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxiv. p. 126.
'A custom upon two farms ... of feeding six oxen through the full range of all the summer ground belonging to the hither Beversbrook ... being the Home Close, the Middle Marsh, the Course Marsh, the Upper Lease, and Brewer's Lease; through the full range likewise of such summer grounds as belong to the yonder Beversbrook to be put in at Mortimers Gate and to feed to Burfurlong Corner, through all the afore mentioned grounds from the third of May to Michaelmas.'—Hilmarton Parish Terrier, 1704. SeeWilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxiv. p. 126.
Summer rick. A windmow, or very large cock of hay, thrown up in the field, to remain there some time (Gamekeeper at Home, ch. iv).—N.W.
SummersorBed-summers. SeeWaggon.
Summer Snipe.Totanus hypoleucos, Common Sandpiper.—N. & S.W.
Sungreen.Sempervivum tectorum, L., Houseleek. Occasionally Singreen in S. Wilts, and Silgreen in N. Wilts. A.S.singréne.—N. & S.W.
*Swaft. Thirst (H.Wr.). Probably from Fr.soif.
*Swank. To work in a slow lazy fashion, to idle. 'Her bain't no good foryourplace, ma'am, her do go swanking about so over her work.'—S.W. (Salisbury.)
*Swankey. *(1)adj.Boisterous, swaggering, strutting (A.B.H.Wr.). *(2)n.Weak beer; drink (S.).—S.W.
Swash,Swosh. (1)n.A torrent or great rush of water.—N.W.
'A man in answer to my question ofhowthe rain seemed to fall, said, "It came down inswashes," and I think it may also be said that occasionally the wind came inswashestoo.'—The Great Wiltshire Storm, Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. vi. p. 380.
'A man in answer to my question ofhowthe rain seemed to fall, said, "It came down inswashes," and I think it may also be said that occasionally the wind came inswashestoo.'—The Great Wiltshire Storm, Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. vi. p. 380.
(2)v.To swill out. 'I've bin swoshing out the back-kitchin.'—N.W.
*Sweeps.Hypericum calycinum, L., Large-flowered St. John's Wort.—S.W. (Farley.)
Sweet-briar. The young succulent suckers of any rose, which are peeled and eaten by children.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
*Sweeten. Some land requiressweetening, or chalking, to take out the acidity, before it will bear barley (Agric. Survey).
Sweethearts.Galium Aparine, L., Goosegrass, because its burs have such an affectionate way of clinging to one.—S.W. (Salisbury.)
Swilter. To smoulder away to ashes, without breaking into flame (A.B.).—N.W.
*Swittle. To cut or whittle (A.H.Wr.).
Sythe. To sigh (A.B.).—N.W.
T.Thr, at the beginning of a word, is usually sounded asdr, asdraish,dree. After liquidsdortwill often be added, asvarmint, vermin;sarment, sermon;steart, a steer;dillard, thiller.Fandvsometimes becometh, asthetchesfor fitches or vetches.Thwill also occasionally becomeSs, aslattermass, latter-math. Conversely,Ssrarely becomesth, asmoth, moss.
Tack. (1) A shelf, aschimney-tack(A.B.C.).—N.W. (2) Pasture for horses and cattle (A.B.).—N.W. (3) 'Out to tack,' at agistment, applied to cattle that are put out to keep by the week or month.—N.W.
Tackle. Stuff, any material, as food, solid or liquid (A.). 'This here yale be oncommon good tackle'; or dress material, 'Haven't 'ee got any gingham tackle?' (Great Estate, ch. iv). Also used of food for cattle.—N.W.
'Thaay [the sheep] be goin' into th' Mash to-morrow.... We be got shart o' keep.... Thur's a main sight o' tackle in the Mash vor um.'—Green Ferne Farm, ch. v.
'Thaay [the sheep] be goin' into th' Mash to-morrow.... We be got shart o' keep.... Thur's a main sight o' tackle in the Mash vor um.'—Green Ferne Farm, ch. v.
Taffety. Dainty in eating (S.).—S.W.
Tag. (1) When a lawn-mower or barrow is too heavy for one man to manage alone, a rope is attached for a boy to draw by, who is said to 'pull tag.'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.) (2)n.A game played by boys. One touches another, sayingTag!and the touched person has then to run after and touch another, who becomesTagin his turn.—N. & S.W. *(3)v.To tease, to torment (C.).—N.W., obsolete.
Tail. (1)n.The whole skirt of a woman's dress. 'Hev 'ee got ar' a owld taail to gie I, Miss?'—N. & S.W. (2) 'Seconds' of flour (Great Estate, ch. vi); alsoTailing-flour.—N.W. (3)Tail-endsorTailings. Refuse wheat, not saleable in market, kept for consumption on the farm (A.B.G.); alsoTail,Tailing-wheat, andTailens(S.).—N. & S.W.
Tail Pole. SeeWaggon.
*Take.n.The sciatica (Aubrey'sWilts MS.).—Obsolete.
Take up. Of weather, to become fine.—N. & S.W.
Tallet,Tallot. A hay-loft over a stable (A.B.G.S.). Welshtaflod.—N. & S.W. SeeN. & Q.8th Ser. iv. 450, &c.
*Tamed. 'By that time the ground will be tamed.' Said in Lisle'sHusbandryto be a Wilts agricultural term, but not there explained.
Tan.Thenis so pronounced in such phrases asNow'-an'-TanandTwitch-an'-Tan.
Tang. (1) 'To tang the bell,' to pull it (A.).—N.W. (2) 'To tang bees,' to follow a swarm, beating a fire-shovel or tin pan (A.).—N.W. (3)v.To make a noise (S.).—S.W. (4)n.A small church bell is aTing-Tang.—N.W.
Tankard. A sheep-bell.—N.W. It is said that the whole of the 'tankards' in use in England are made at Great Cheverell.
'Hilary ... turned back, remarking, "It's Johnson's flock; I know the tang of his tankards." The flat-shaped bells hung on a sheep's neck are called tankards, and Hilary could distinguish one flock from another by the varying notes of their bells.'—Great Estate, ch. vi. p. 123.
'Hilary ... turned back, remarking, "It's Johnson's flock; I know the tang of his tankards." The flat-shaped bells hung on a sheep's neck are called tankards, and Hilary could distinguish one flock from another by the varying notes of their bells.'—Great Estate, ch. vi. p. 123.
*Tasker. A tramping harvester or casual labourer who works by the piece (Agric. of Wilts, p. 24).
*Tawney,Ta'aney. The Bullfinch,Pyrrhula vulgaris.—N.W.
Tazzle.n.'Her hair be aal of a tazzle,' in great disorder, all tangled and knotted and tousled.—N.W.
Tear. (1) A rage. 'He wur in just about a tear.'—S.W. (2) In N. Wilts old folk used formerly toteartheir crockery, andbreaktheir clothes, buttearnow seems obsolete in this sense there.—N. & S.W.
Teart. (1) Painfully tender, sore, as a wound (A.).—N.W. (2) Stinging, as a blister.—N.W. (Rowde.) (3) Tart, as beer turning sour (S.): acrimonious. SeeAddenda.—S.W.
Ted. To throw about hay for the first time (D.S.).—N. & S.W.
Teel,Tile. To place anything leaning against a wall (A.B.H.Wr.). Generally used withup, as 'Teel it up agen th' wall, wull 'ee?'—N.W.
Teft. The same asHeft(A.B.C.)—N.W.
Teg-man. A shepherd.—S.W. (Salisbury.)
'I am a teg-man (or shepherd) in the employ of Mr. White.'—Wilts County Mirror, October 28, 1892, p. 8, col. 5.
'I am a teg-man (or shepherd) in the employ of Mr. White.'—Wilts County Mirror, October 28, 1892, p. 8, col. 5.
Temper. 'To temper down dripping,' to melt it and refine with water.—N.W.
Temtious. Tempting, inviting.—N. & S.W.
*Temzer. A riddle or sieve. Cp. Fr.tamis.—Obsolete.
'A temzer, a range, or coarse searche: Wilts.'—MS. Lansd.1033, f. 2.
'A temzer, a range, or coarse searche: Wilts.'—MS. Lansd.1033, f. 2.
Tentful. Attentive, careful.—N.W.
Terrible. Extremely. ''Tes a terr'ble bad harvest to-year.'—N. & S.W.
Terrify. (1)v.To worry, irritate, annoy; used especially of very troublesome children. 'The vlies be terrible terrifying.'—N. & S.W.
''Twer mostly losing of a hoss as did for 'em, and most al'ays wi' bad shoeing. They gived 'em scant measure—shoed 'em too tight, they did, a-terrifying o' the poor beasts.'—Jonathan Merle, ch. xlviii. p. 520.'Her own folks mightn't a-like so well to come and stay, if ther was al'ays a terrifying old woman to put up with.'—Ibid, ch. liv. p. 596.'Her husband, who had been out in the fields, came home and began to "terrify" her.'—Marlborough Times, November 26, 1892.'I be turrivied wi' rheumatics.'—Dark, ch. x.
''Twer mostly losing of a hoss as did for 'em, and most al'ays wi' bad shoeing. They gived 'em scant measure—shoed 'em too tight, they did, a-terrifying o' the poor beasts.'—Jonathan Merle, ch. xlviii. p. 520.
'Her own folks mightn't a-like so well to come and stay, if ther was al'ays a terrifying old woman to put up with.'—Ibid, ch. liv. p. 596.
'Her husband, who had been out in the fields, came home and began to "terrify" her.'—Marlborough Times, November 26, 1892.
'I be turrivied wi' rheumatics.'—Dark, ch. x.
(2)n.A source of worry or trouble. A bed-ridden woman who has to get her neighbours to do everything for her is 'a terrible terrify' to them.—N.W. *(3)v.To injure, as a hailstorm does apple-blossom (Wilts Arch. Mag.vol. xxii. p. 113).—N.W. (Cherhill.)
Tewley,Tuley. Weakly (S.). Sickly, tired-looking.—S.W.
Thatches. SeeThetches.
Thauf. Although, or although if; as 'A never vound un, thauf he'd gone dree lug vurder on, a cudden a bin off seein' on un.' Cp. Sauf.—N.W. (Malmesbury, etc.)
Theave. A ewe of the third year.
'We have wether hogs and chilver hogs, and shear hogs, ram tegs, and theaves, and two-tooths, and four-tooths, and six-tooths.'—Wilts Arch. Mag.ch. xvii. p. 303.
'We have wether hogs and chilver hogs, and shear hogs, ram tegs, and theaves, and two-tooths, and four-tooths, and six-tooths.'—Wilts Arch. Mag.ch. xvii. p. 303.
There-right. (1) 'Go straight forward,' order to a horse at plough (A.).—N.W. (2) On the spot.—N.W.
Thert.v.To plough land a second time, at right angles to the first ploughing, so as to clean it more effectually. Cp.Thwart.—N.W.
Thetches,Thatches. Vetches.Lent thetchesare an early spring kind.—N.W.
Thill, orDill. The shaft of a cart.—N.W.
Thiller,Diller,Thill-horse. The shaft-horse of a team.—N.W.
Thimbles.Campanula rotundifolia, L., the Harebell.—S.W. (Hamptworth.)
Thorough-pin. The pin which fastens the waggon-bed to the carriage (D.). See Waggon.—N.W.
*Three-pound-tenner. The name given by bird-catchers about Salisbury to the 'Chevil' variety of Goldfinch, it being more valuable than the ordinary kind (Birds of Wilts, p. 203).—S.W.
Threshles. 'A pair of threshles, drashols, or flyals, a flail' (D.). The usual term for a flail. SeeDrashel.—N. & S.W.
Throw. (1)n.'A throw of timber,' the quantity felled at any one time.—N.W. (2)v.To fell timber (Bevis, ch. i).—N.W. (3) 'To throw a gin or snare,' to spring or set it off (Amateur Poacher, ch. vi).—N.W.
Thunder-bolts, (1) The concretionary nodules of iron pyrites so frequently found in the chalk. SeeGold; also Thunder-stones inAddenda.—N. & S.W.
'The ploughboys search for pyrites, and call them thunderbolts.—Greene Ferne Farm, ch. v.
'The ploughboys search for pyrites, and call them thunderbolts.—Greene Ferne Farm, ch. v.
(2) Fossil belemnites.—N. & S.W.
Thunder-flower.Papaver Rhoeas, &c., Red Poppy.—S.W.
Thunder-fly. A black midge. So called because they appear mostly in thunder weather.—N. & S.W.
'Tiny black flies alighting on my hands and face, irritated the skin; the haymakers call them "thunder-flies."'—Great Estate, ch. v. pp. 96-97.
'Tiny black flies alighting on my hands and face, irritated the skin; the haymakers call them "thunder-flies."'—Great Estate, ch. v. pp. 96-97.
*Thurindale. A flagon holding about three pints (H.Wr.). M.E.thriddendele, a third part.—Obsolete.
Thurtifer. Unruly, self-willed (H.Wr.).—S.W.
Ticky Pig. The smallest pig of a litter.—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.)
Tid. *(1) Lively, playful (B.G.). (2) Childish, affecting simplicity (A.), shy. 'Coom, coom, dwon't'e be tid' (A.). A.S.tyddr, tender, weak, imbecile.—N.W.
Tiddle. (1)v.To bring up a lamb by hand (A.). A.S.tyddrian, to nourish, feed.—N.W.
'"Shall I get a drap o' milk, andtiddleun a leetle, maester?" ... "Ha! to be sure! ... Put un into the basket ... and get us a bottle wi' some milk." Tom, who had often assisted the young lambs in the same way, soon procured the therewith to fashion the pseudo teat, and master and man did their best to perform the office of wet nurse to the unfortunate foundling.'—Wilts Tales, pp. 5-6.
'"Shall I get a drap o' milk, andtiddleun a leetle, maester?" ... "Ha! to be sure! ... Put un into the basket ... and get us a bottle wi' some milk." Tom, who had often assisted the young lambs in the same way, soon procured the therewith to fashion the pseudo teat, and master and man did their best to perform the office of wet nurse to the unfortunate foundling.'—Wilts Tales, pp. 5-6.
(2)v.To tickle (S.).—S.W.
Tiddlin' lamb. A lamb brought up by hand (A.). SeeTiddle(1).—N.W.
*Tiddy.adj.Weakly, delicate. SeeTiddle(1).—N.W. (Castle Eaton, &c.)
Tide-times. Christmas, Easter, &c. 'He do have a drop, tide-times and that.'—N. & S.W.
Tie. Of wood, to pinch the saw while working.—N.W.
*Tig. A little pig (Dark, ch. i).—N.W., occasionally.