Chapter 38

“I’llgangnae mair to yon toon.”Burns.Song.Gangrel, S, vagrant.“A merry coreO’ randygangrelbodies.”Burns.The Jolly Beggars.Gar, S, make, compel.“The first Scots kirk that they cam’ toTheygarr’tthe bells be rung;The next Scots kirk that they cam’ toTheygarr’tthe mass be sung.”Ballad—The Gay Goss-hawk.Gay, C; Gey, S, (adverb form, Gaily) tolerable, considerable.“Here’s agaycanny mwornin’.”—A common salutation.“No verra, butgey.”—By-saying.“Hoo irr ye preuvin?” “Gaily, gaily, gangin’ aboot!”A common salutation and reply.Geàl, C, split, rend, ache severely as from cold.“I’ve an oald teuth, when t’ coald gits tull’t, it maks o’geàlageàn.”—Said to a Doctor.Gear, S and C, wealth, substance.“A gleib o’ lan’—a claut o’gearWas left me by my auntie, Tam.”Burns.Ane an’ twenty, Tam.“Bruff-side lairds bang’t aw the restFor braggin’ o’ theirgear.”Anderson.Bleckell Murry-Neet.Ged, S, the pike.“Now safe the stately saumon sail,An’ trouts bedropp’d wi’ crimson hail,An’ eels weel kenn’d for souple tail,An’gedsfor greed.”Burns.Tam Samson.Gezlin, C and S, goslin, young goose.“Peat’ lass, wid her yallow muffs,Steud kaakin like agezlin.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.“If I canna keep geese I’ll keepgezlins.”—Proverb.Ghem, ga way tull’t, C, game, go to it; a hunting phrase; used proverbially to signify any attractive fun or quarreling.“There was a fine see howe—an’ghem ga way tull’t.”Gin, S, if.“Gina body meet a body.”Song—Coming through the Rye.Gledge, S, look slyly.“Mr. Forret, aliasGledginGibbie, had borne the brunt of incensed kirk-sessions before that time.”Hogg.Tibbie Hyslop.Glent, S and C, gleam.“Where flowers an’ gowans wont toglentI’ bonnie blinks beside the bent.”Ferguson.Auld Reekie.Gliff, C and S, glimpse.“Here, here it was (a wae leet on the pleace)’At furst I gat agliffo’ Betty’s feace.”Relph.Harvest.Glime, C, look sideways.“’Twad mak a deid man laugh to seeThemglimeat yen anudder.”Anderson.The Village Gang.Gloamin’, S, twilight.“Thegloamin’ grey out owre the welkin keeks.”Ferguson.The Farmer’s Ingle.Gloom, S, frown.“Still away his heid was shyin’,Gloomin’like a boxing bull.”John Johnston.Dear Meal Johnnie.Glower, S and C, stare.“Heglower’tat the mune till he fell i’ the midden.”—Proverb.“What’s t’eglowerin’ at? Does t’e see any cat’ horns?”Sauce.Glump, C, sulk.“Neist time we met heglumptand glower’tAn’ leukt anudder way.”Anderson.The lass abeun thirty.God Speed, C, a small wooden partition or screen placed within the house door, when it opens directly upon the sitting room. It has probably been called so from departing guests being wished “God Speed” beside it. I first heard the word at Harrington, from a humourist who asked a group of neighbours if they’d seen Tommy Wilson, who lived next door to him, adding, “If ye sud see him, tell him ’at his barns an’ mine hev been feightin’ till they’ve knock’d t’God-speeddoon.” The fun of this lay in the well known fact that both were childless.Gorb, C, an unfledged bird.“Geàp,gorbie, an’ thou’ll git a wūrm.”—Proverb.Gowk, S and C, cuckoo, fool.“Ye breed o’ thegowk, ye’ve nae rhyme but ane.”—Proverb.“’Bout kings and councilsgowksmay fratch.”Anderson.Gud strang yell.Gowl, C, to weep vociferously, to howl.“It greànt, an’ itgowl’t, an’ it freetent fwoke sair.”Dickinson.Scallow-Beck Boggle.Gradely, C, a Lancashire and Cheshire word, often used in Cumberland, signifying proper or correct. I have overheard myself, in contravention of the proverb, spoken of as “a varragradelyman” in the lake district.Grank, C, to covet querulously.“Hout man! what signifies repinin’,Orgrankin’, snifterin’, twistin’, twinin’.”Stagg.New Year’s Epistle.Greet, S and C, weep.“It’s nae mair to see a womangreetthan to see a goose gang barefit.”—Proverb.“When we’d hed our belly full o’greetin’ we gat up, an’ feel’t better for’t.”Betty Yewdale.T’ terrible Knitters i’ Dent.Greg, C, tantalize.“It doesgregyan to hear a hunt yan cannot see.”Said by a veteran hunter whose sight was failing.Gruesome, S, making the flesh creep with disgust or horror.“An’ though she wore a human face,It was agruesomesight to see.”Hogg.The Spirit of the Glen.Gud his-sel’, C, felicitate, or gratify himself.“Gi’e me anudder kiss.” “Nay, thou mungud thysel’wid what thou’s gitten!—thou’s git nea mair to-neet.”An over-heard conversation.Guff, S and C, a silly fellow.“When sec-like guffs leame decent fwoke,It’s time some laws sud alter.”Anderson.The Village Gang.Gumption, C, tact, cleverness.“Hed I thygumptionor thy gift o’ gob.”Graham.Geordie and Will.Gyversome, C, voracious, ravenous.“T’ mair ye give till greedy fwoke t’ mairgyversomethey growe.”—Proverb.H.Hag, C, to cut with an axe.“He was seun back, wid his axe ower his shooder, an’ begon tohaghis way through t’ deurr.”Dickinson.Lamplugh Club.Hag-worm, C, the viper.“Theear was beears, an’ lions, an’ tigers ... an’ girt yedtheranhag-werms, fower or five yerds lang.”Rev. T. Clarke.Johnny Shippard.Hake, C, a riotous festivity, tumult.“They drank the yell up ivery drop,Wid nowderhakenor quarrel.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.Ham-sam, C, mingled promiscuously.“Five or six gat on to t’ bed,An’ satham-samtogidder.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.Hank, S and C, skein of thread or yarn; also a loop.“O though thy hair werehankso’ gowd,An’ thy lips were droppin’ hinnie.”Song—The Waukrife Minnie.“And when the worsted hanks she wound,Her skill was further proved.”S. Bamford.My Wynder.Hantle, S and C, a considerable number or quantity.Part of the Rev. Walter Dunlop’s congregation at Dumfries having joined the Baptists, he alluded to the circumstance in the pulpit, thus—“I thocht till ha’e gethered ye under my wings, as a hen gethereth her chickens, but ahantleo’ ye ha’e turn’t oot to be deuks, an’ ta’en to the water.”“I’ve been a sad deevil, an’ spent gowd i’ gowpens,But still I’ve ahantleleft yet.”Anderson.Twee Auld Men.Hap, S and C, cover.“Ance as gudeAs everhappitflesh an’ blude.”Ferguson.My Aul’ Breeks.Haver, (pron. Havver) C, oats, oaten.“Our Ellik likes fat bacon weel,Ahaverbannock pleases Dick.”Anderson.Gud strang Yell.Hay-bay, C, uproar.“Wi’ whiskey they weetit their wizzens,An’ seun a sadhay-baybegan.”Anderson.The Clay Daubin’.Heartsome, S and C, cheerful, pleasant.“Let’s creep ower theheartsometurf ingle,An’ laugh the wild winter away.”Anderson.The days that are gane.Heeze, S, hoist, elevate.“Thae bonnie bairn time Heaven has sentStill higher may itheezeye.”Burns.A Dream.Heids an’ thraws, S, lying in irregular positions in bed or elsewhere.“Lieheids an’ thrawslike Jock an’ his mither.”—Proverb.Herdwick, C, probably formed like bailiwick, etc., and first applied to the portion of hill-pasture assigned to the herds of each dale farm; now used to distinguish the hardy, active breed of sheep grazed upon theherdwicks.“He breaks bands like aherdwicktip” is a proverbial saying I have heard applied to a rustic scape-grace.Herk, S, whisper.“When a Scotchman wants you to listen he says ‘speak,’ and when he wants yon to whisper he says ‘herk.’”—Anon.Hirple, S and C, limp, walk lamely.“The hares werehirplindoon the furs.”Burns.The Holy Fair.“Jack Mar, thehirplinpipers son,Can bang them o’ at leein’.”Anderson.The Village Gang.Hoaf-thick, C, half-wit, thick-head.“Than Watty Ferguson, provwok’tTo hear thishoaf-thickrattle.”Stagg.The Bridewain.Hoddingly, C, persistently.“Does your pain come and go?” “It nayder cūms ner ga’s; it’s theearhoddingly.”—Said to a Doctor.Hooal’t, or Whoal’t, C, holed, “bagged,” applied to anything being secured, thus—At a school treat in High Furness I was “scrambling” comfits, and having filled a paper packet with gravel, and thrown it up, it was caught by a great hulking fellow, who thrust it into his pocket, exclaiming, “I’vehooal’tthat an’.” His face, when his attention was directed to the contents of his prize, was a sight.Hosteler, Old S, keeper of an inn or hostel.“Syne pay him on a gantree,Ashostelerwives should do.”Old Song—The Maltman.Hork, S, to burrow.“The mouse is a wee merrie beastie;The mowdiehorkswantin’ the een.”Old Song—Brose and Butter.Hound-trail, or Dog trail, C, a drag hunt.“Whist’s as much afooar lant (loo) as a fox-hunt’s afooar adog-trail.”—Heard at a Merry-Night.How, S and C, hollow, empty.“A house lookshowwithout a wife.”Anderson.Tib and her Maister.Howk, S and C, excavate.“She hashowkita hole baith deep and wide,She has putten them in baith side by side.”Old Ballad—The Cruel Mother.How-strowe, C, in confusion.“Thy plew gear’s liggin’how-strowe,An’ somebody’s stown thee thy cou’ter.”Mark Lonsdale.Johnnie.Hugger-mugger, C, huddled up, out of order or system.“Thus inhugger-muggermake a marriage.”Shakspeare.Most philologists hold that this word signifies private or surreptitious; but in Cumberland, where it is still in common use, the sense is as above.Huller’t, C, coagulated or clotted—applied to blood.I have heard of an up and down fight in a public-house, where “T’huller’tbleud laid an inch thick on t’ flooer.”I.Ilka, or Ilk, S, each.“Ilkablade o’ grass keps its ain drop o’ dew.”Proverb, and Song byJ. Ballantyne.Intak, C, a piece of land taken in from the common.“T’intak’st’ best o’ t’ grund,”—Said by a Dale-farmer.Iverly, C, everly, continuously.“How often do you take your ale?” “Yall? I’ tak itiverly!“ ”Iverly?” “Ey, ebben endways away!”Part of a professional conversation.J.Jannic, C, a Lancashire word, signifying fair or honest.“Thoo hes ower mickle jaw to bejannic.”Said to a voluble Auctioneer.Jink, S, to escape suddenly, a rapid evasion.“Our billie’s gi’en us a’ thejink,An’ owre the sea.”Burns.Job-jurnal, C, a toy on the principle of a humming top, but made with a shouldered stick passed through a perforated nut-shell and an apple, or failing that, a potato stuck upon the lower end, to be spun by pulling a string wrapped upon the shaft within the shell. In Furness this name is applied to the pig-nut, which in central Cumberland is called ayowie-yorlin, and in Dumfriesshire ahornick.Joggle, C, to shake sharply, or violently.“He dreàv us ower rwoads ’at varra nārjoggledus to bits.” Said by an old lady at Loweswater.Jook, S, to shrink, or dip the head to elude observation or missile.“It’s pastjookingwhen the heid’s off.”—Proverb.K.Kail, S; Keàl, C, broth—so called from a frequent ingredient.“He gat hiskailin a riven dish.”—Proverb.“Swoaps o’ drink an’ gud lythekeàleCheer up each day.”Stagg.The New Year’s Epistle.Kaim’t, C, literally crooked, but used to signify cross, or peevish.“Aa boddert my brain thinkan some on them ower,An’ than set to wark an’ wreàtt doon three or fowerO’t’kaymtestan’ t’ creuktest, like ‘garrak’ an’ ‘dyke-stower,’Sek like as we use in oald Cummerlan’.”Dickinson.The words of oald Cummerlan’.Keàv, C, to dance awkwardly.“That barn, says Hyne, i’ Palmer’ toft,’Ill dea reet weel tokeàvin.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.Keek, S and C, to peep.“He thatkeeksthrough a keyhole may see what will vex him.”—Proverb.“She conquers mair nor BonnypartWhene’er shekeeksaroun’”.Anderson.The Thursby Witch.Ken, S and C, know.“Kenyersel and yere neighbours ’ill no mis-kenye.”Proverb.Kirk-garth, C, church-yard.“They tak meear pastime e what they see i’ th’kirk-garthnor what they hear i’ th’ kirk.”—Mrs. Wheeler.Dialogues.Kit, C, a small tub or bucket.“A riddlin’—a riddlin’, an oald wife striddlin’,An’ akitfull o’ cunning things in a coald morning.”An ancient conundrum.Kimmer, S, a familiar designation for woman—something like gossip. The young women who assist at christenings are called “maidenkimmers.”“How do ye, kimmer?An’ how do ye thrive—A how monie bairns ha’e ye?Kimmer!I ha’e five.”Song—A’ Noddin’.Knowe, S, knoll, hillock.“His gear may buy him glens an’knowes.”Burns.To Daunton me.L.Lafter, C, a brood of chickens, etc.; also a setting of eggs.“I hevn’t a ne’bour ’ill lend me alafterof eggs.”Said by a farmer’s wife.Laik, C, play.“Butlaiksat wate-not-whats withinO’ Sunday efterneun.”Relph.After Horace.Laikins, C, playthings, toys.“Here’s babby-laikins—rowth o’ spice,On sto’s an’ stands extended.”Stagg.Rosley Fair.Lait, C, seek.“Lads i’t’ dark meade rampin’ warkOr cloaks an’ clogs werelaitit.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.Lal, C, (in the northern and southern parts, Lile) little.“Ilalthowte fasts sec fearful things to bide.”Relph.St. Agnes’ Fast.Lap, C, wrap.“Lap’tmy cranky neckcloth round his heid.”Graham.Gwordie and Will.Lave, S, the rest, remainder.“When a’ thelavegang to their bed,I wander dowie up the glen.”Song—Heelan’ Harry.Lawin, S, a public house reckoning.“Gude wife, count thelawin,An’ bring a drappie mair.”Burns.Song.Leal, or Leil, S, true, pure, loyal.“O gi’e me a token o’ love, sweet May—Aleillove-token true.”A. Cunningham.The Mermaid.Leàne, your leàne, his leàne, etc., S and C, lone, solitary.“An’ when, sweet lassie, you’re ye’releàne,This heart o’ mine wad joy to know.”Miss Blamire.The Toiling Day.Leàth, C, a barn.“Why ne had thou put the capel in thelathe.”Chaucer.The Reeve’s Tale.Ley, C, a scythe.“Clogs, splinter new, bass-boddom’d chairs,An’lea-stanes for newleases.”Stagg.Rosley Fair.Lichtly, S, to make light of.“The lass thatlichtliesmay lament.”—Proverb.Lilt, S and C, a lively tune or song; or, as a verb, to sing merrily.“Now haste ye turn King David ower,An’liltwi’ holy clangour.”Burns.It means also to rise on the toes in walking. Diomed’s walk had aliltin it, as described by Ulysses, thus—“I ken the manner of his gait,He rises on the toe: that spirit of hisIn aspiration lifts him from the earth.”Shakspeare.Troilus and Cressida.Lippen, S, to trust.“Ye’ll deceive nane but them thatlippento ye.”—Proverb.Lirk, S and C, a wrinkle or fold.“Sup sūm poddish, an’ tak’ t’lirksoot o’ thy skin.”Said to a rustic convalescent.Lish, C, active.“When I was alishlaughing lass o’ sixteen.”Anderson.Auld Robby Miller.Loan, S; Lonning, C, lane.“The kye stood rowtin’ in theloan.”Burns.The Twa Dogs.“The lads an’ the lasses i’t’lonningWer’ pairin’ like sparrows i’t’ spring.”Anon.Raffles Merry-Neet.Lock, C, a number or quantity.“A gaylocko’ fwoke hed gedder’t up i’ time to gang tillt’ kurk, an’ away they struttit.”Dickinson.Lamplugh Club.Lofe, C, a chance of anything, an opportunity.“Yance I hed t’lofean’ I’d luck to say no, an’ I niver hed t’lofeageàn.“—Said by an elderly spinster.Lonter, C, lounge, or loiter.”Lonterin’fwoke’s ola’s lazy fwoke.”—Proverb.Loon, S, rogue.“I tint my curch an’ baith my shoon;Ah! Duncan, ye’re an uncoloon.”Duncan Gray—Old Version.Loot, S, stoop.“Helootitdoon her lips to kiss,O kiss foreboding woe.”C. K. Sharpe.The Murder of Carlaverock.Lowe, S and C, a flame.“To touch the glass her hand hes touch’dIt sets them in alowe.”Anderson.The Thursby Witch.Lown, or Lownd, S and C, calm, still.“Your chamber’s very dark, fair maid,The nichte is wondrouslown.”Ballad—Sir Roland.Lowp, S and C, leap.“Lowpoff the steed, says false Sir John,Yere bridal bed ye see.”Ballad—May Colean.“My heart keeps such a rout,Itlowpsan’lowpsas if it wadlowpout.”Ewan Clark.Costard’s Complaint.Lowpy-back, C, leap-frog.“Ye’ve been laikin atlowpy-backo’ t’ rwoad heàm.”Part of a scolding.Lugs, S and C, ears.“I’ll lay mylugsin Pindus’ spring,And invocate Apollo.”Ramsay.“Kursty, souple gammerstang,Ned Wilson brong hisluga whang.”Anderson.The Worton Wedding.Lum, S, chimney.“Sic reek as is therein maun come out at thelum’stop.”Proverb.Laigh, S, low.“She lookit hiche to the bodynge hill,An’laigheto the darklynge deane.”Telfer.The Gloamin’ Bucht.M.Maddle, or Maffle, C, to talk or act in a silly manner.“O,mafflinGwordie, t’ou’s been feulish lang.”Graham.Gwordie and Will.Maizelt, or Maiz’t, C, stupified.“We war fairlymaizel’twi’ t’ cāld.”Betty Yewdale.T’ terrible Knitters i’ Dent.“Whytemaiz’dwi’ loungin’ on i’ th’ neuk.”Stagg.Auld Lang Syne.Maizlin, C, a simpleton.“Banton lads grew parfet guffs,An’ Thursby lassesmaizlins.”Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.Mak, C, sort, kind.“It taks o’maksto mak ivery mak.”Rev. T. Clarke.Johnny Shippard.Māp’ment, C, imbecility; compounded of mope and ment, like manage-ment, etc.“He toked for iver sa lang, but he toked a deal o’maapment.”—Ibid.Mattie, C, the mark at quoits or pitch and toss.Skifting his mattieis proverbially used for shifting position or changing policy or course.Maukin, S, the hare.“The fuddlin’ bodies nowadaysRinmaukin-mad i’ Bacchus’ praise.”Ferguson.Caller Water.Maunder, S and C, to think, talk, or act dreamily.“Aw wish this wanderin’ wark were o’er,Thismaunderin’ to and fro.”Edwin Waugh.Sweetheartin’ Gate.Meat-heàl, C, very able to eat.“He’s beàthmeat-heàlan’ drink-heàl. Ther’ can’t be mickle t’ matter wid him.”—Said of a Hypochondriac.Mell, C, meddle.“Gangin’ frae house to house hearin’ news an’melline ther nebbors.”—Mrs. Wheeler.Dialogues.Mell, S, a mallet; the prize that used to be given to the last in a race. “Winning theMell” in any contest is figuratively equivalent to taking the wooden spoon at the Cambridge examinations for honours.Mense, S and C, propriety, creditable behaviour.“I’ve seàv’t beàth my meat an’ mymense.”Proverb, used when proffered hospitality is declined.Messan, S and C, a small dog of indefinite breed.“We hounds slew the hare, quo’ the bleer’dmessan.”Proverb.

“I’llgangnae mair to yon toon.”

Burns.Song.

Gangrel, S, vagrant.

“A merry coreO’ randygangrelbodies.”

“A merry core

O’ randygangrelbodies.”

Burns.The Jolly Beggars.

Gar, S, make, compel.

“The first Scots kirk that they cam’ toTheygarr’tthe bells be rung;The next Scots kirk that they cam’ toTheygarr’tthe mass be sung.”

“The first Scots kirk that they cam’ to

Theygarr’tthe bells be rung;

The next Scots kirk that they cam’ to

Theygarr’tthe mass be sung.”

Ballad—The Gay Goss-hawk.

Gay, C; Gey, S, (adverb form, Gaily) tolerable, considerable.

“Here’s agaycanny mwornin’.”—A common salutation.

“No verra, butgey.”—By-saying.

“Hoo irr ye preuvin?” “Gaily, gaily, gangin’ aboot!”

A common salutation and reply.

Geàl, C, split, rend, ache severely as from cold.

“I’ve an oald teuth, when t’ coald gits tull’t, it maks o’geàlageàn.”—Said to a Doctor.

Gear, S and C, wealth, substance.

“A gleib o’ lan’—a claut o’gearWas left me by my auntie, Tam.”Burns.Ane an’ twenty, Tam.“Bruff-side lairds bang’t aw the restFor braggin’ o’ theirgear.”

“A gleib o’ lan’—a claut o’gear

Was left me by my auntie, Tam.”

Burns.Ane an’ twenty, Tam.

“Bruff-side lairds bang’t aw the rest

For braggin’ o’ theirgear.”

Anderson.Bleckell Murry-Neet.

Ged, S, the pike.

“Now safe the stately saumon sail,An’ trouts bedropp’d wi’ crimson hail,An’ eels weel kenn’d for souple tail,An’gedsfor greed.”

“Now safe the stately saumon sail,

An’ trouts bedropp’d wi’ crimson hail,

An’ eels weel kenn’d for souple tail,

An’gedsfor greed.”

Burns.Tam Samson.

Gezlin, C and S, goslin, young goose.

“Peat’ lass, wid her yallow muffs,Steud kaakin like agezlin.”

“Peat’ lass, wid her yallow muffs,

Steud kaakin like agezlin.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

“If I canna keep geese I’ll keepgezlins.”—Proverb.

Ghem, ga way tull’t, C, game, go to it; a hunting phrase; used proverbially to signify any attractive fun or quarreling.

“There was a fine see howe—an’ghem ga way tull’t.”

Gin, S, if.

“Gina body meet a body.”

Song—Coming through the Rye.

Gledge, S, look slyly.

“Mr. Forret, aliasGledginGibbie, had borne the brunt of incensed kirk-sessions before that time.”

Hogg.Tibbie Hyslop.

Glent, S and C, gleam.

“Where flowers an’ gowans wont toglentI’ bonnie blinks beside the bent.”

“Where flowers an’ gowans wont toglent

I’ bonnie blinks beside the bent.”

Ferguson.Auld Reekie.

Gliff, C and S, glimpse.

“Here, here it was (a wae leet on the pleace)’At furst I gat agliffo’ Betty’s feace.”

“Here, here it was (a wae leet on the pleace)

’At furst I gat agliffo’ Betty’s feace.”

Relph.Harvest.

Glime, C, look sideways.

“’Twad mak a deid man laugh to seeThemglimeat yen anudder.”

“’Twad mak a deid man laugh to see

Themglimeat yen anudder.”

Anderson.The Village Gang.

Gloamin’, S, twilight.

“Thegloamin’ grey out owre the welkin keeks.”

Ferguson.The Farmer’s Ingle.

Gloom, S, frown.

“Still away his heid was shyin’,Gloomin’like a boxing bull.”

“Still away his heid was shyin’,

Gloomin’like a boxing bull.”

John Johnston.Dear Meal Johnnie.

Glower, S and C, stare.

“Heglower’tat the mune till he fell i’ the midden.”—Proverb.

“What’s t’eglowerin’ at? Does t’e see any cat’ horns?”

Sauce.

Glump, C, sulk.

“Neist time we met heglumptand glower’tAn’ leukt anudder way.”

“Neist time we met heglumptand glower’t

An’ leukt anudder way.”

Anderson.The lass abeun thirty.

God Speed, C, a small wooden partition or screen placed within the house door, when it opens directly upon the sitting room. It has probably been called so from departing guests being wished “God Speed” beside it. I first heard the word at Harrington, from a humourist who asked a group of neighbours if they’d seen Tommy Wilson, who lived next door to him, adding, “If ye sud see him, tell him ’at his barns an’ mine hev been feightin’ till they’ve knock’d t’God-speeddoon.” The fun of this lay in the well known fact that both were childless.

Gorb, C, an unfledged bird.

“Geàp,gorbie, an’ thou’ll git a wūrm.”—Proverb.

Gowk, S and C, cuckoo, fool.

“Ye breed o’ thegowk, ye’ve nae rhyme but ane.”—Proverb.

“’Bout kings and councilsgowksmay fratch.”

Anderson.Gud strang yell.

Gowl, C, to weep vociferously, to howl.

“It greànt, an’ itgowl’t, an’ it freetent fwoke sair.”

Dickinson.Scallow-Beck Boggle.

Gradely, C, a Lancashire and Cheshire word, often used in Cumberland, signifying proper or correct. I have overheard myself, in contravention of the proverb, spoken of as “a varragradelyman” in the lake district.

Grank, C, to covet querulously.

“Hout man! what signifies repinin’,Orgrankin’, snifterin’, twistin’, twinin’.”

“Hout man! what signifies repinin’,

Orgrankin’, snifterin’, twistin’, twinin’.”

Stagg.New Year’s Epistle.

Greet, S and C, weep.

“It’s nae mair to see a womangreetthan to see a goose gang barefit.”—Proverb.

“When we’d hed our belly full o’greetin’ we gat up, an’ feel’t better for’t.”

Betty Yewdale.T’ terrible Knitters i’ Dent.

Greg, C, tantalize.

“It doesgregyan to hear a hunt yan cannot see.”

Said by a veteran hunter whose sight was failing.

Gruesome, S, making the flesh creep with disgust or horror.

“An’ though she wore a human face,It was agruesomesight to see.”

“An’ though she wore a human face,

It was agruesomesight to see.”

Hogg.The Spirit of the Glen.

Gud his-sel’, C, felicitate, or gratify himself.

“Gi’e me anudder kiss.” “Nay, thou mungud thysel’wid what thou’s gitten!—thou’s git nea mair to-neet.”

An over-heard conversation.

Guff, S and C, a silly fellow.

“When sec-like guffs leame decent fwoke,It’s time some laws sud alter.”

“When sec-like guffs leame decent fwoke,

It’s time some laws sud alter.”

Anderson.The Village Gang.

Gumption, C, tact, cleverness.

“Hed I thygumptionor thy gift o’ gob.”

Graham.Geordie and Will.

Gyversome, C, voracious, ravenous.

“T’ mair ye give till greedy fwoke t’ mairgyversomethey growe.”—Proverb.

Hag, C, to cut with an axe.

“He was seun back, wid his axe ower his shooder, an’ begon tohaghis way through t’ deurr.”

Dickinson.Lamplugh Club.

Hag-worm, C, the viper.

“Theear was beears, an’ lions, an’ tigers ... an’ girt yedtheranhag-werms, fower or five yerds lang.”

Rev. T. Clarke.Johnny Shippard.

Hake, C, a riotous festivity, tumult.

“They drank the yell up ivery drop,Wid nowderhakenor quarrel.”

“They drank the yell up ivery drop,

Wid nowderhakenor quarrel.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

Ham-sam, C, mingled promiscuously.

“Five or six gat on to t’ bed,An’ satham-samtogidder.”

“Five or six gat on to t’ bed,

An’ satham-samtogidder.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

Hank, S and C, skein of thread or yarn; also a loop.

“O though thy hair werehankso’ gowd,An’ thy lips were droppin’ hinnie.”Song—The Waukrife Minnie.“And when the worsted hanks she wound,Her skill was further proved.”

“O though thy hair werehankso’ gowd,

An’ thy lips were droppin’ hinnie.”

Song—The Waukrife Minnie.

“And when the worsted hanks she wound,

Her skill was further proved.”

S. Bamford.My Wynder.

Hantle, S and C, a considerable number or quantity.

Part of the Rev. Walter Dunlop’s congregation at Dumfries having joined the Baptists, he alluded to the circumstance in the pulpit, thus—“I thocht till ha’e gethered ye under my wings, as a hen gethereth her chickens, but ahantleo’ ye ha’e turn’t oot to be deuks, an’ ta’en to the water.”

“I’ve been a sad deevil, an’ spent gowd i’ gowpens,But still I’ve ahantleleft yet.”

“I’ve been a sad deevil, an’ spent gowd i’ gowpens,

But still I’ve ahantleleft yet.”

Anderson.Twee Auld Men.

Hap, S and C, cover.

“Ance as gudeAs everhappitflesh an’ blude.”

“Ance as gude

As everhappitflesh an’ blude.”

Ferguson.My Aul’ Breeks.

Haver, (pron. Havver) C, oats, oaten.

“Our Ellik likes fat bacon weel,Ahaverbannock pleases Dick.”

“Our Ellik likes fat bacon weel,

Ahaverbannock pleases Dick.”

Anderson.Gud strang Yell.

Hay-bay, C, uproar.

“Wi’ whiskey they weetit their wizzens,An’ seun a sadhay-baybegan.”

“Wi’ whiskey they weetit their wizzens,

An’ seun a sadhay-baybegan.”

Anderson.The Clay Daubin’.

Heartsome, S and C, cheerful, pleasant.

“Let’s creep ower theheartsometurf ingle,An’ laugh the wild winter away.”

“Let’s creep ower theheartsometurf ingle,

An’ laugh the wild winter away.”

Anderson.The days that are gane.

Heeze, S, hoist, elevate.

“Thae bonnie bairn time Heaven has sentStill higher may itheezeye.”

“Thae bonnie bairn time Heaven has sent

Still higher may itheezeye.”

Burns.A Dream.

Heids an’ thraws, S, lying in irregular positions in bed or elsewhere.

“Lieheids an’ thrawslike Jock an’ his mither.”—Proverb.

Herdwick, C, probably formed like bailiwick, etc., and first applied to the portion of hill-pasture assigned to the herds of each dale farm; now used to distinguish the hardy, active breed of sheep grazed upon theherdwicks.

“He breaks bands like aherdwicktip” is a proverbial saying I have heard applied to a rustic scape-grace.

Herk, S, whisper.

“When a Scotchman wants you to listen he says ‘speak,’ and when he wants yon to whisper he says ‘herk.’”—Anon.

Hirple, S and C, limp, walk lamely.

“The hares werehirplindoon the furs.”Burns.The Holy Fair.“Jack Mar, thehirplinpipers son,Can bang them o’ at leein’.”

“The hares werehirplindoon the furs.”

Burns.The Holy Fair.

“Jack Mar, thehirplinpipers son,

Can bang them o’ at leein’.”

Anderson.The Village Gang.

Hoaf-thick, C, half-wit, thick-head.

“Than Watty Ferguson, provwok’tTo hear thishoaf-thickrattle.”

“Than Watty Ferguson, provwok’t

To hear thishoaf-thickrattle.”

Stagg.The Bridewain.

Hoddingly, C, persistently.

“Does your pain come and go?” “It nayder cūms ner ga’s; it’s theearhoddingly.”—Said to a Doctor.

Hooal’t, or Whoal’t, C, holed, “bagged,” applied to anything being secured, thus—

At a school treat in High Furness I was “scrambling” comfits, and having filled a paper packet with gravel, and thrown it up, it was caught by a great hulking fellow, who thrust it into his pocket, exclaiming, “I’vehooal’tthat an’.” His face, when his attention was directed to the contents of his prize, was a sight.

Hosteler, Old S, keeper of an inn or hostel.

“Syne pay him on a gantree,Ashostelerwives should do.”

“Syne pay him on a gantree,

Ashostelerwives should do.”

Old Song—The Maltman.

Hork, S, to burrow.

“The mouse is a wee merrie beastie;The mowdiehorkswantin’ the een.”

“The mouse is a wee merrie beastie;

The mowdiehorkswantin’ the een.”

Old Song—Brose and Butter.

Hound-trail, or Dog trail, C, a drag hunt.

“Whist’s as much afooar lant (loo) as a fox-hunt’s afooar adog-trail.”—Heard at a Merry-Night.

How, S and C, hollow, empty.

“A house lookshowwithout a wife.”

Anderson.Tib and her Maister.

Howk, S and C, excavate.

“She hashowkita hole baith deep and wide,She has putten them in baith side by side.”

“She hashowkita hole baith deep and wide,

She has putten them in baith side by side.”

Old Ballad—The Cruel Mother.

How-strowe, C, in confusion.

“Thy plew gear’s liggin’how-strowe,An’ somebody’s stown thee thy cou’ter.”

“Thy plew gear’s liggin’how-strowe,

An’ somebody’s stown thee thy cou’ter.”

Mark Lonsdale.Johnnie.

Hugger-mugger, C, huddled up, out of order or system.

“Thus inhugger-muggermake a marriage.”

Shakspeare.

Most philologists hold that this word signifies private or surreptitious; but in Cumberland, where it is still in common use, the sense is as above.

Huller’t, C, coagulated or clotted—applied to blood.

I have heard of an up and down fight in a public-house, where “T’huller’tbleud laid an inch thick on t’ flooer.”

Ilka, or Ilk, S, each.

“Ilkablade o’ grass keps its ain drop o’ dew.”

Proverb, and Song byJ. Ballantyne.

Intak, C, a piece of land taken in from the common.

“T’intak’st’ best o’ t’ grund,”—Said by a Dale-farmer.

Iverly, C, everly, continuously.

“How often do you take your ale?” “Yall? I’ tak itiverly!“ ”Iverly?” “Ey, ebben endways away!”

Part of a professional conversation.

Jannic, C, a Lancashire word, signifying fair or honest.

“Thoo hes ower mickle jaw to bejannic.”

Said to a voluble Auctioneer.

Jink, S, to escape suddenly, a rapid evasion.

“Our billie’s gi’en us a’ thejink,An’ owre the sea.”

“Our billie’s gi’en us a’ thejink,

An’ owre the sea.”

Burns.

Job-jurnal, C, a toy on the principle of a humming top, but made with a shouldered stick passed through a perforated nut-shell and an apple, or failing that, a potato stuck upon the lower end, to be spun by pulling a string wrapped upon the shaft within the shell. In Furness this name is applied to the pig-nut, which in central Cumberland is called ayowie-yorlin, and in Dumfriesshire ahornick.

Joggle, C, to shake sharply, or violently.

“He dreàv us ower rwoads ’at varra nārjoggledus to bits.” Said by an old lady at Loweswater.

Jook, S, to shrink, or dip the head to elude observation or missile.

“It’s pastjookingwhen the heid’s off.”—Proverb.

Kail, S; Keàl, C, broth—so called from a frequent ingredient.

“He gat hiskailin a riven dish.”—Proverb.

“Swoaps o’ drink an’ gud lythekeàleCheer up each day.”

“Swoaps o’ drink an’ gud lythekeàle

Cheer up each day.”

Stagg.The New Year’s Epistle.

Kaim’t, C, literally crooked, but used to signify cross, or peevish.

“Aa boddert my brain thinkan some on them ower,An’ than set to wark an’ wreàtt doon three or fowerO’t’kaymtestan’ t’ creuktest, like ‘garrak’ an’ ‘dyke-stower,’Sek like as we use in oald Cummerlan’.”

“Aa boddert my brain thinkan some on them ower,

An’ than set to wark an’ wreàtt doon three or fower

O’t’kaymtestan’ t’ creuktest, like ‘garrak’ an’ ‘dyke-stower,’

Sek like as we use in oald Cummerlan’.”

Dickinson.The words of oald Cummerlan’.

Keàv, C, to dance awkwardly.

“That barn, says Hyne, i’ Palmer’ toft,’Ill dea reet weel tokeàvin.”

“That barn, says Hyne, i’ Palmer’ toft,

’Ill dea reet weel tokeàvin.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

Keek, S and C, to peep.

“He thatkeeksthrough a keyhole may see what will vex him.”—Proverb.

“She conquers mair nor BonnypartWhene’er shekeeksaroun’”.

“She conquers mair nor Bonnypart

Whene’er shekeeksaroun’”.

Anderson.The Thursby Witch.

Ken, S and C, know.

“Kenyersel and yere neighbours ’ill no mis-kenye.”

Proverb.

Kirk-garth, C, church-yard.

“They tak meear pastime e what they see i’ th’kirk-garthnor what they hear i’ th’ kirk.”—Mrs. Wheeler.Dialogues.

Kit, C, a small tub or bucket.

“A riddlin’—a riddlin’, an oald wife striddlin’,An’ akitfull o’ cunning things in a coald morning.”

“A riddlin’—a riddlin’, an oald wife striddlin’,

An’ akitfull o’ cunning things in a coald morning.”

An ancient conundrum.

Kimmer, S, a familiar designation for woman—something like gossip. The young women who assist at christenings are called “maidenkimmers.”

“How do ye, kimmer?An’ how do ye thrive—A how monie bairns ha’e ye?Kimmer!I ha’e five.”

“How do ye, kimmer?

An’ how do ye thrive—

A how monie bairns ha’e ye?

Kimmer!I ha’e five.”

Song—A’ Noddin’.

Knowe, S, knoll, hillock.

“His gear may buy him glens an’knowes.”

Burns.To Daunton me.

Lafter, C, a brood of chickens, etc.; also a setting of eggs.

“I hevn’t a ne’bour ’ill lend me alafterof eggs.”

Said by a farmer’s wife.

Laik, C, play.

“Butlaiksat wate-not-whats withinO’ Sunday efterneun.”

“Butlaiksat wate-not-whats within

O’ Sunday efterneun.”

Relph.After Horace.

Laikins, C, playthings, toys.

“Here’s babby-laikins—rowth o’ spice,On sto’s an’ stands extended.”

“Here’s babby-laikins—rowth o’ spice,

On sto’s an’ stands extended.”

Stagg.Rosley Fair.

Lait, C, seek.

“Lads i’t’ dark meade rampin’ warkOr cloaks an’ clogs werelaitit.”

“Lads i’t’ dark meade rampin’ wark

Or cloaks an’ clogs werelaitit.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

Lal, C, (in the northern and southern parts, Lile) little.

“Ilalthowte fasts sec fearful things to bide.”

Relph.St. Agnes’ Fast.

Lap, C, wrap.

“Lap’tmy cranky neckcloth round his heid.”

Graham.Gwordie and Will.

Lave, S, the rest, remainder.

“When a’ thelavegang to their bed,I wander dowie up the glen.”

“When a’ thelavegang to their bed,

I wander dowie up the glen.”

Song—Heelan’ Harry.

Lawin, S, a public house reckoning.

“Gude wife, count thelawin,An’ bring a drappie mair.”

“Gude wife, count thelawin,

An’ bring a drappie mair.”

Burns.Song.

Leal, or Leil, S, true, pure, loyal.

“O gi’e me a token o’ love, sweet May—Aleillove-token true.”

“O gi’e me a token o’ love, sweet May—

Aleillove-token true.”

A. Cunningham.The Mermaid.

Leàne, your leàne, his leàne, etc., S and C, lone, solitary.

“An’ when, sweet lassie, you’re ye’releàne,This heart o’ mine wad joy to know.”

“An’ when, sweet lassie, you’re ye’releàne,

This heart o’ mine wad joy to know.”

Miss Blamire.The Toiling Day.

Leàth, C, a barn.

“Why ne had thou put the capel in thelathe.”

Chaucer.The Reeve’s Tale.

Ley, C, a scythe.

“Clogs, splinter new, bass-boddom’d chairs,An’lea-stanes for newleases.”

“Clogs, splinter new, bass-boddom’d chairs,

An’lea-stanes for newleases.”

Stagg.Rosley Fair.

Lichtly, S, to make light of.

“The lass thatlichtliesmay lament.”—Proverb.

Lilt, S and C, a lively tune or song; or, as a verb, to sing merrily.

“Now haste ye turn King David ower,An’liltwi’ holy clangour.”

“Now haste ye turn King David ower,

An’liltwi’ holy clangour.”

Burns.

It means also to rise on the toes in walking. Diomed’s walk had aliltin it, as described by Ulysses, thus—

“I ken the manner of his gait,He rises on the toe: that spirit of hisIn aspiration lifts him from the earth.”

“I ken the manner of his gait,

He rises on the toe: that spirit of his

In aspiration lifts him from the earth.”

Shakspeare.Troilus and Cressida.

Lippen, S, to trust.

“Ye’ll deceive nane but them thatlippento ye.”—Proverb.

Lirk, S and C, a wrinkle or fold.

“Sup sūm poddish, an’ tak’ t’lirksoot o’ thy skin.”

Said to a rustic convalescent.

Lish, C, active.

“When I was alishlaughing lass o’ sixteen.”

Anderson.Auld Robby Miller.

Loan, S; Lonning, C, lane.

“The kye stood rowtin’ in theloan.”Burns.The Twa Dogs.“The lads an’ the lasses i’t’lonningWer’ pairin’ like sparrows i’t’ spring.”

“The kye stood rowtin’ in theloan.”

Burns.The Twa Dogs.

“The lads an’ the lasses i’t’lonning

Wer’ pairin’ like sparrows i’t’ spring.”

Anon.Raffles Merry-Neet.

Lock, C, a number or quantity.

“A gaylocko’ fwoke hed gedder’t up i’ time to gang tillt’ kurk, an’ away they struttit.”

Dickinson.Lamplugh Club.

Lofe, C, a chance of anything, an opportunity.

“Yance I hed t’lofean’ I’d luck to say no, an’ I niver hed t’lofeageàn.“—Said by an elderly spinster.

Lonter, C, lounge, or loiter.

”Lonterin’fwoke’s ola’s lazy fwoke.”—Proverb.

Loon, S, rogue.

“I tint my curch an’ baith my shoon;Ah! Duncan, ye’re an uncoloon.”

“I tint my curch an’ baith my shoon;

Ah! Duncan, ye’re an uncoloon.”

Duncan Gray—Old Version.

Loot, S, stoop.

“Helootitdoon her lips to kiss,O kiss foreboding woe.”

“Helootitdoon her lips to kiss,

O kiss foreboding woe.”

C. K. Sharpe.The Murder of Carlaverock.

Lowe, S and C, a flame.

“To touch the glass her hand hes touch’dIt sets them in alowe.”

“To touch the glass her hand hes touch’d

It sets them in alowe.”

Anderson.The Thursby Witch.

Lown, or Lownd, S and C, calm, still.

“Your chamber’s very dark, fair maid,The nichte is wondrouslown.”

“Your chamber’s very dark, fair maid,

The nichte is wondrouslown.”

Ballad—Sir Roland.

Lowp, S and C, leap.

“Lowpoff the steed, says false Sir John,Yere bridal bed ye see.”

“Lowpoff the steed, says false Sir John,

Yere bridal bed ye see.”

Ballad—May Colean.

“My heart keeps such a rout,Itlowpsan’lowpsas if it wadlowpout.”

“My heart keeps such a rout,

Itlowpsan’lowpsas if it wadlowpout.”

Ewan Clark.Costard’s Complaint.

Lowpy-back, C, leap-frog.

“Ye’ve been laikin atlowpy-backo’ t’ rwoad heàm.”

Part of a scolding.

Lugs, S and C, ears.

“I’ll lay mylugsin Pindus’ spring,And invocate Apollo.”

“I’ll lay mylugsin Pindus’ spring,

And invocate Apollo.”

Ramsay.

“Kursty, souple gammerstang,Ned Wilson brong hisluga whang.”

“Kursty, souple gammerstang,

Ned Wilson brong hisluga whang.”

Anderson.The Worton Wedding.

Lum, S, chimney.

“Sic reek as is therein maun come out at thelum’stop.”

Proverb.

Laigh, S, low.

“She lookit hiche to the bodynge hill,An’laigheto the darklynge deane.”

“She lookit hiche to the bodynge hill,

An’laigheto the darklynge deane.”

Telfer.The Gloamin’ Bucht.

Maddle, or Maffle, C, to talk or act in a silly manner.

“O,mafflinGwordie, t’ou’s been feulish lang.”

Graham.Gwordie and Will.

Maizelt, or Maiz’t, C, stupified.

“We war fairlymaizel’twi’ t’ cāld.”

Betty Yewdale.T’ terrible Knitters i’ Dent.

“Whytemaiz’dwi’ loungin’ on i’ th’ neuk.”

Stagg.Auld Lang Syne.

Maizlin, C, a simpleton.

“Banton lads grew parfet guffs,An’ Thursby lassesmaizlins.”

“Banton lads grew parfet guffs,

An’ Thursby lassesmaizlins.”

Mark Lonsdale.The Upshot.

Mak, C, sort, kind.

“It taks o’maksto mak ivery mak.”

Rev. T. Clarke.Johnny Shippard.

Māp’ment, C, imbecility; compounded of mope and ment, like manage-ment, etc.

“He toked for iver sa lang, but he toked a deal o’maapment.”—Ibid.

Mattie, C, the mark at quoits or pitch and toss.Skifting his mattieis proverbially used for shifting position or changing policy or course.

Maukin, S, the hare.

“The fuddlin’ bodies nowadaysRinmaukin-mad i’ Bacchus’ praise.”

“The fuddlin’ bodies nowadays

Rinmaukin-mad i’ Bacchus’ praise.”

Ferguson.Caller Water.

Maunder, S and C, to think, talk, or act dreamily.

“Aw wish this wanderin’ wark were o’er,Thismaunderin’ to and fro.”

“Aw wish this wanderin’ wark were o’er,

Thismaunderin’ to and fro.”

Edwin Waugh.Sweetheartin’ Gate.

Meat-heàl, C, very able to eat.

“He’s beàthmeat-heàlan’ drink-heàl. Ther’ can’t be mickle t’ matter wid him.”—Said of a Hypochondriac.

Mell, C, meddle.

“Gangin’ frae house to house hearin’ news an’melline ther nebbors.”—Mrs. Wheeler.Dialogues.

Mell, S, a mallet; the prize that used to be given to the last in a race. “Winning theMell” in any contest is figuratively equivalent to taking the wooden spoon at the Cambridge examinations for honours.

Mense, S and C, propriety, creditable behaviour.

“I’ve seàv’t beàth my meat an’ mymense.”

Proverb, used when proffered hospitality is declined.

Messan, S and C, a small dog of indefinite breed.

“We hounds slew the hare, quo’ the bleer’dmessan.”

Proverb.

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