FOOTNOTES

1‘Nothing is the same.’2Ask.3Before retiring to rest the older and more superstitious look round to see if there is a shadowless head thrown on the wall; should any one cast such a shadow, it is held they will die ere next Christmas Eve comes round.4In many of our dales on Christmas morn, no one will leave the house until some one brings luck in by crossing the threshold with a bit of green in their hand.5Also called Pace-egg. The Danish word is Paaskeaeg.6The small stack often seen in our churches at a harvest thanksgiving is a survival of the mell doll.7The stang was ridden at Thoralby, Wensleydale, as recently as October, 1896.8The pole was a stang or cow-staff.9The original was most kindly lent to me by the Lady of the Manor, Mrs. Chaloner.10A three-legged race. In this there was nothing unseemly, for a long way into this century the skirts worn came but little below the knee. Bear in mind, both in launching and beaching their husband’s or father’s boat, the women and girls of to-day often rush up to the waist in the sea to lend a helping hand.}11Some explanation is needed to make this task understandable. A large basket (probably a wide creel) had a strong pole thrust through the wicker-work or handles improvised for the occasion; each end of the pole was then rested upon some suitable support, leaving the basket free to swing about a foot from the ground. On each support and near to the pole a shell or other light object was placed. The thing to be done would not be easy of accomplishment. Those contending for the prize had in turn to seat themselves astride of the pole with both feet inside the basket; thus seated, and firmly grasping the pole with one hand, they had to knock off the shell with a stick (which in the meantime they used to steady themselves with), then turn round, reseat themselves, knock off the other shell, and then get out without overbalancing. You try it, but have something soft to fall upon. It is marvellous how soon it is the next person’s turn.12Thirty years ago it was common.13The details of the plate-throwing vary slightly in different localities.14In some parts it was customary for the winner, after having removed the garter, to enter the bridal chamber, turn down the bed clothes, and offer to the bride a hot pot as she entered to remove her bridal attire, and then salute her; did he omit the latter, he forfeited the garter.15I gather from a diary, dated 1625, which has been kindly sent to me as I am correcting my proof sheets, that originally it was the bridegroom’s duty to tie on the bridal garters.16Lusty.17Sound of wind.18The story was given me by an eye-witness.19Only when returning were the guns discharged as a rule.20Each in turn slipped the garter over his glass on to his wrist. The garters were nearly a yard long; as used above, the ends were tied together to form a loop.21A native of Exelby.22It would seem these two often worked their charms in company.23I have no knowledge as to the meaning of these two words; their real pronunciation may have been lost, or perhaps they are simply cant words.24My own opinion is that ‘R. H.’ was William Hird’s father, though he never admitted it.25The garland consisted of two hoops intertwined, decorated with white paper flowers and ribbons, in the centre of which was a white glove, often home-made, of paper or fine linen, upon which was written or worked in some fine stitch the initials or name in full and age of the deceased. According to locality this garland was either carried in front of the coffin by one of the deceased’s dearest companions, or laid upon it. This custom might well have been retained.26And many other places in Cleveland.27The author is quite aware some other writers state that the fire is never allowed to die out whilst the corpse is in the room. He never knew or heard of such a custom, though possibly such may exist.28In the North Riding, about three miles from Ripon.29The Gospelles of Distaues, published by Wynkyn de Worde about 1530, contains the following:—‘If it happen that somebody stride over a little childe, know ye for certain that it shall never grow more, but if (unless) they stride backward over it again. Gloss: Certainly, said Sebylle, of such thing cometh dwarfs and little women.’30Richard Kirby, who gave me the above and several other stories concerning witches, still lives in Carthorpe, near Bedale.31Nanny must have been disguised in some way, at least one would think so, otherwise Mrs. Langstaff would have recognized her at once, both being natives of that part.32Inconvenienced, literally ‘cost.’33Never accomplished his life’s work, i.e. committed suicide.34‘T au’d un,’ or the old one = the devil.35Possibly this meant the longer he waited there, the longer he would remain in the river.36Boyes Wetherell lost his wife on the birth of their first child, a boy. Boyes tended his bairn with a mother’s love and care, and when the child was four years old, he tramped all the way to London with the lad on his back. Once they slept in a grave; but the journey is a story.37A contemporary of the wise man of Stokesley, but having nothing like the same reputation.38An aperient drink.39A worral hole is a drain-pipe let in the wall immediately at the back of the fire; this is to afford sufficient draught to burn the sea coal which is daily gathered from the beach.40A sucking-pig.41A cant phrase of the time is used in the original.42The devil.43Hand in hand, both touch the floor together. This has already been referred to.44Observe the lack of the possessive case.45The ground covered would be about twenty miles—not bad.46A woman was adjudged the same punishment at Bedale (for a different offence) in the year 1779, also at Thirsk and Northallerton.47For other interesting matter concerning Nan Hardwicke,videHenderson’sFolklore.48Observe rice is now being ousted by confetti, which is much better—rice is so dangerous.49This statement has nothing to do with his private life, only as that of a wise man. ‘De mortuis nil nisi bonum.’50This would be the father of the Mr. Scorer I knew, who for many years lived at Basedale Abbey.51I know that Mr. G. Markham Tweddle holds quite contrary views. His idea is that Wrightson was little better than a huge swindler.52For other authentic stories of Wrightson,videHenderson’sFolklore.53A small four-legged stool.54A hedgehog.55I met a man in the train the other day who said he had often seen them sucking.56Henry Wilson, of Broughton, was a wise man of some repute after Wrightson’s time.57Something like Sadler and Clarke’s method.58The usual time was midnight; this case, so far as I know, is unique.59Accuse openly.60To prepare a ‘hand of glory,’ the hand of a man who had been hanged had to be left for some days in a special kind of pickle; afterwards it was dried in the sun, and then parched in the smoke of certain herbs. A special kind of candle had to be made from certain fats; with this candle lighted and stuck in the dead man’s hand, a hypnotic sleep could be cast upon a whole household. Henderson’sFolklore.61There was a marvellous hobman once lived near Ripon, but his deeds some one writing of the West Riding must chronicle.62With slight variation the same story is known in other parts of the riding, also in Lancashire, and is as old as the hills throughout Scandinavia.63A similar story is told of Sir Francis Drake.64SeeGlossary.65‘Ower,’prep.over.66‘Ower,’adv.too; ‘ower’ nearly always takes the place of ‘too.’ ‘Ower mich,’ ‘ower monny apples,’ ‘ower big a load,’ ‘ower larl,’ ‘ower au’d,’ &c.67This peculiarity, even amongst many educated Yorkshire people, of repeating the verb is further illustrated in the concluding remarks at the end of the Glossary.68Thirsty.69Really the same simile, common where otters fish.70Snails.71The name by which the Grammar School boys were known.72I have heard children innocently repeating, as they counted each other out:—Prest an, pop an,Cock on t’ spire,Holy Alice,Dah mell fire.Did their parents or teachers but know what the youngsters were really saying, they would be no little shocked.73Staggerum buck, or Staggerer Staggera bobtail, is the name of a boys’ game, very commonly played. ‘Philson,’ ‘Valson,’ and ‘Dickson’ are examples of the elision of the possessive case, i.e. Phil’s son, Val’s son, and Dick’s son.74‘Knave-a’ became general during the War of Independence—we were a bit out of favour then.75VideGrimm’sHousehold Tales.76As the children tell the story, they pronouncecrooked, ‘crook-ed.’77The story in its original form was a prophetic hymn sung by the Jews at the Passover, the animals and elements representing their enemies and deliverers.78Henderson’sFolklore.79Knotted hair.80Both pronunciations are equally common.81Walk.82Brow.83Purse.84‘Trigg’d his wame,’ filled his stomach.85‘Lair,’ a barn.86‘Streahy,’ strawy.87‘Seeat,’ soot.88‘Clais,’ clothes.89E is used in the original.90Horse.91Should be ‘wae’s t’ me,’ lit. ‘woe is to me.’92Riding apparel.93Well dressed.94Designed.95Mind.96Determined.97False.98Scythe.99‘Window’ is commonly pronouncedwinder,winner, andwindther.100Atis often used instead ofwho,which, andthat.101Thethanddhsound, found in so many East Riding words, is not nearly so marked in the speech of the North Riding.102‘Ya ’evn’t’ and ‘tha ’evn’t’ are not so emphatic as ‘ya’ve nut’ or ‘tha’ve nut,’ &c.103Throughout, save in this example, ‘He’ has been so printed, but without exception its utterance approaches nearer to that of ‘a’ or ‘eh,’ e.g. ‘‘Ez he ta’en ’t fra tha?’ would certainly appear as if the speaker had said ’‘Eza(oreh) ta’en ’t fra tha?’ But to save the reader much needless confusion,hehas been retained, though it is rarely heard save at the commencement of a sentence.104‘Divn’t’ is quite a common form of ‘do not.’105‘Uz,’ ‘us,’ is often used for ‘me.’106Writtengi’en.107‘On,’ prep. ‘of.’108Rod = red.109The old pronunciations of ‘trashing’ for ‘thrashing,’ ‘trepence’ for ‘threepence,’ ‘trive’ for ‘thrive,’ &c., are frequently heard in Cleveland.110Along the borders touching the West Riding ‘Blathery’ is in common use. ‘Bladdry’ it should be.111‘Come’ is always pronounced ‘cum.’112The same pronunciation is often used in the sense of ‘to lose.’ Ex.—‘Thoo’ll lowse thisel,’ or ‘Thoo’ll loss thisel;’ ‘It’s been a lowsin’ gaame fra t’ fo’st ti t’ last,’ i.e. ‘It has been a losing game,’ &c.113In several instances this rule has been broken, but only to give a correct rendering of the pronunciation as spoken in a particular district to-day.114The term ‘dialect’ is used throughout this work for want of a better word, and to avoid tautology. Our folk-speech is not a dialect, it is a language.115The map issued with the North-Eastern 1d.Time-table answers well for the purpose.116Our dialect wordFick, which is theFikgiven, has three distinct meanings: (1) to struggle under some form of restraint; (2) to strive to obtain; (3) to succeed, to get.Ex.—1. ‘T’ pig ficked that hard whahl Ah c’u’dn’t git it inti t’ cart,’ 2. ‘He made a poor fick on ’t,’ i.e. he made a feeble attempt. ‘He weean’t mak a fick for ’t,’ he won’t strive to do, obtain, or get. 3. ‘He ficked it at t’ finish,’ he got it in the end.117‘Roke’ is the common dialectic word for mist or fog. ‘Reek’ is the North Riding word for smoke. ‘Rog’ is the Danish.118‘The’ is always used before the name of the Deity, and often in conversation of a grave and sorrowful nature.

1‘Nothing is the same.’

2Ask.

3Before retiring to rest the older and more superstitious look round to see if there is a shadowless head thrown on the wall; should any one cast such a shadow, it is held they will die ere next Christmas Eve comes round.

4In many of our dales on Christmas morn, no one will leave the house until some one brings luck in by crossing the threshold with a bit of green in their hand.

5Also called Pace-egg. The Danish word is Paaskeaeg.

6The small stack often seen in our churches at a harvest thanksgiving is a survival of the mell doll.

7The stang was ridden at Thoralby, Wensleydale, as recently as October, 1896.

8The pole was a stang or cow-staff.

9The original was most kindly lent to me by the Lady of the Manor, Mrs. Chaloner.

10A three-legged race. In this there was nothing unseemly, for a long way into this century the skirts worn came but little below the knee. Bear in mind, both in launching and beaching their husband’s or father’s boat, the women and girls of to-day often rush up to the waist in the sea to lend a helping hand.}

11Some explanation is needed to make this task understandable. A large basket (probably a wide creel) had a strong pole thrust through the wicker-work or handles improvised for the occasion; each end of the pole was then rested upon some suitable support, leaving the basket free to swing about a foot from the ground. On each support and near to the pole a shell or other light object was placed. The thing to be done would not be easy of accomplishment. Those contending for the prize had in turn to seat themselves astride of the pole with both feet inside the basket; thus seated, and firmly grasping the pole with one hand, they had to knock off the shell with a stick (which in the meantime they used to steady themselves with), then turn round, reseat themselves, knock off the other shell, and then get out without overbalancing. You try it, but have something soft to fall upon. It is marvellous how soon it is the next person’s turn.

12Thirty years ago it was common.

13The details of the plate-throwing vary slightly in different localities.

14In some parts it was customary for the winner, after having removed the garter, to enter the bridal chamber, turn down the bed clothes, and offer to the bride a hot pot as she entered to remove her bridal attire, and then salute her; did he omit the latter, he forfeited the garter.

15I gather from a diary, dated 1625, which has been kindly sent to me as I am correcting my proof sheets, that originally it was the bridegroom’s duty to tie on the bridal garters.

16Lusty.

17Sound of wind.

18The story was given me by an eye-witness.

19Only when returning were the guns discharged as a rule.

20Each in turn slipped the garter over his glass on to his wrist. The garters were nearly a yard long; as used above, the ends were tied together to form a loop.

21A native of Exelby.

22It would seem these two often worked their charms in company.

23I have no knowledge as to the meaning of these two words; their real pronunciation may have been lost, or perhaps they are simply cant words.

24My own opinion is that ‘R. H.’ was William Hird’s father, though he never admitted it.

25The garland consisted of two hoops intertwined, decorated with white paper flowers and ribbons, in the centre of which was a white glove, often home-made, of paper or fine linen, upon which was written or worked in some fine stitch the initials or name in full and age of the deceased. According to locality this garland was either carried in front of the coffin by one of the deceased’s dearest companions, or laid upon it. This custom might well have been retained.

26And many other places in Cleveland.

27The author is quite aware some other writers state that the fire is never allowed to die out whilst the corpse is in the room. He never knew or heard of such a custom, though possibly such may exist.

28In the North Riding, about three miles from Ripon.

29The Gospelles of Distaues, published by Wynkyn de Worde about 1530, contains the following:—‘If it happen that somebody stride over a little childe, know ye for certain that it shall never grow more, but if (unless) they stride backward over it again. Gloss: Certainly, said Sebylle, of such thing cometh dwarfs and little women.’

30Richard Kirby, who gave me the above and several other stories concerning witches, still lives in Carthorpe, near Bedale.

31Nanny must have been disguised in some way, at least one would think so, otherwise Mrs. Langstaff would have recognized her at once, both being natives of that part.

32Inconvenienced, literally ‘cost.’

33Never accomplished his life’s work, i.e. committed suicide.

34‘T au’d un,’ or the old one = the devil.

35Possibly this meant the longer he waited there, the longer he would remain in the river.

36Boyes Wetherell lost his wife on the birth of their first child, a boy. Boyes tended his bairn with a mother’s love and care, and when the child was four years old, he tramped all the way to London with the lad on his back. Once they slept in a grave; but the journey is a story.

37A contemporary of the wise man of Stokesley, but having nothing like the same reputation.

38An aperient drink.

39A worral hole is a drain-pipe let in the wall immediately at the back of the fire; this is to afford sufficient draught to burn the sea coal which is daily gathered from the beach.

40A sucking-pig.

41A cant phrase of the time is used in the original.

42The devil.

43Hand in hand, both touch the floor together. This has already been referred to.

44Observe the lack of the possessive case.

45The ground covered would be about twenty miles—not bad.

46A woman was adjudged the same punishment at Bedale (for a different offence) in the year 1779, also at Thirsk and Northallerton.

47For other interesting matter concerning Nan Hardwicke,videHenderson’sFolklore.

48Observe rice is now being ousted by confetti, which is much better—rice is so dangerous.

49This statement has nothing to do with his private life, only as that of a wise man. ‘De mortuis nil nisi bonum.’

50This would be the father of the Mr. Scorer I knew, who for many years lived at Basedale Abbey.

51I know that Mr. G. Markham Tweddle holds quite contrary views. His idea is that Wrightson was little better than a huge swindler.

52For other authentic stories of Wrightson,videHenderson’sFolklore.

53A small four-legged stool.

54A hedgehog.

55I met a man in the train the other day who said he had often seen them sucking.

56Henry Wilson, of Broughton, was a wise man of some repute after Wrightson’s time.

57Something like Sadler and Clarke’s method.

58The usual time was midnight; this case, so far as I know, is unique.

59Accuse openly.

60To prepare a ‘hand of glory,’ the hand of a man who had been hanged had to be left for some days in a special kind of pickle; afterwards it was dried in the sun, and then parched in the smoke of certain herbs. A special kind of candle had to be made from certain fats; with this candle lighted and stuck in the dead man’s hand, a hypnotic sleep could be cast upon a whole household. Henderson’sFolklore.

61There was a marvellous hobman once lived near Ripon, but his deeds some one writing of the West Riding must chronicle.

62With slight variation the same story is known in other parts of the riding, also in Lancashire, and is as old as the hills throughout Scandinavia.

63A similar story is told of Sir Francis Drake.

64SeeGlossary.

65‘Ower,’prep.over.

66‘Ower,’adv.too; ‘ower’ nearly always takes the place of ‘too.’ ‘Ower mich,’ ‘ower monny apples,’ ‘ower big a load,’ ‘ower larl,’ ‘ower au’d,’ &c.

67This peculiarity, even amongst many educated Yorkshire people, of repeating the verb is further illustrated in the concluding remarks at the end of the Glossary.

68Thirsty.

69Really the same simile, common where otters fish.

70Snails.

71The name by which the Grammar School boys were known.

72I have heard children innocently repeating, as they counted each other out:—Prest an, pop an,Cock on t’ spire,Holy Alice,Dah mell fire.Did their parents or teachers but know what the youngsters were really saying, they would be no little shocked.

72I have heard children innocently repeating, as they counted each other out:—

Prest an, pop an,Cock on t’ spire,Holy Alice,Dah mell fire.

Prest an, pop an,

Cock on t’ spire,

Holy Alice,

Dah mell fire.

Did their parents or teachers but know what the youngsters were really saying, they would be no little shocked.

73Staggerum buck, or Staggerer Staggera bobtail, is the name of a boys’ game, very commonly played. ‘Philson,’ ‘Valson,’ and ‘Dickson’ are examples of the elision of the possessive case, i.e. Phil’s son, Val’s son, and Dick’s son.

74‘Knave-a’ became general during the War of Independence—we were a bit out of favour then.

75VideGrimm’sHousehold Tales.

76As the children tell the story, they pronouncecrooked, ‘crook-ed.’

77The story in its original form was a prophetic hymn sung by the Jews at the Passover, the animals and elements representing their enemies and deliverers.

78Henderson’sFolklore.

79Knotted hair.

80Both pronunciations are equally common.

81Walk.

82Brow.

83Purse.

84‘Trigg’d his wame,’ filled his stomach.

85‘Lair,’ a barn.

86‘Streahy,’ strawy.

87‘Seeat,’ soot.

88‘Clais,’ clothes.

89E is used in the original.

90Horse.

91Should be ‘wae’s t’ me,’ lit. ‘woe is to me.’

92Riding apparel.

93Well dressed.

94Designed.

95Mind.

96Determined.

97False.

98Scythe.

99‘Window’ is commonly pronouncedwinder,winner, andwindther.

100Atis often used instead ofwho,which, andthat.

101Thethanddhsound, found in so many East Riding words, is not nearly so marked in the speech of the North Riding.

102‘Ya ’evn’t’ and ‘tha ’evn’t’ are not so emphatic as ‘ya’ve nut’ or ‘tha’ve nut,’ &c.

103Throughout, save in this example, ‘He’ has been so printed, but without exception its utterance approaches nearer to that of ‘a’ or ‘eh,’ e.g. ‘‘Ez he ta’en ’t fra tha?’ would certainly appear as if the speaker had said ’‘Eza(oreh) ta’en ’t fra tha?’ But to save the reader much needless confusion,hehas been retained, though it is rarely heard save at the commencement of a sentence.

104‘Divn’t’ is quite a common form of ‘do not.’

105‘Uz,’ ‘us,’ is often used for ‘me.’

106Writtengi’en.

107‘On,’ prep. ‘of.’

108Rod = red.

109The old pronunciations of ‘trashing’ for ‘thrashing,’ ‘trepence’ for ‘threepence,’ ‘trive’ for ‘thrive,’ &c., are frequently heard in Cleveland.

110Along the borders touching the West Riding ‘Blathery’ is in common use. ‘Bladdry’ it should be.

111‘Come’ is always pronounced ‘cum.’

112The same pronunciation is often used in the sense of ‘to lose.’ Ex.—‘Thoo’ll lowse thisel,’ or ‘Thoo’ll loss thisel;’ ‘It’s been a lowsin’ gaame fra t’ fo’st ti t’ last,’ i.e. ‘It has been a losing game,’ &c.

113In several instances this rule has been broken, but only to give a correct rendering of the pronunciation as spoken in a particular district to-day.

114The term ‘dialect’ is used throughout this work for want of a better word, and to avoid tautology. Our folk-speech is not a dialect, it is a language.

115The map issued with the North-Eastern 1d.Time-table answers well for the purpose.

116Our dialect wordFick, which is theFikgiven, has three distinct meanings: (1) to struggle under some form of restraint; (2) to strive to obtain; (3) to succeed, to get.Ex.—1. ‘T’ pig ficked that hard whahl Ah c’u’dn’t git it inti t’ cart,’ 2. ‘He made a poor fick on ’t,’ i.e. he made a feeble attempt. ‘He weean’t mak a fick for ’t,’ he won’t strive to do, obtain, or get. 3. ‘He ficked it at t’ finish,’ he got it in the end.

116Our dialect wordFick, which is theFikgiven, has three distinct meanings: (1) to struggle under some form of restraint; (2) to strive to obtain; (3) to succeed, to get.

Ex.—1. ‘T’ pig ficked that hard whahl Ah c’u’dn’t git it inti t’ cart,’ 2. ‘He made a poor fick on ’t,’ i.e. he made a feeble attempt. ‘He weean’t mak a fick for ’t,’ he won’t strive to do, obtain, or get. 3. ‘He ficked it at t’ finish,’ he got it in the end.

117‘Roke’ is the common dialectic word for mist or fog. ‘Reek’ is the North Riding word for smoke. ‘Rog’ is the Danish.

118‘The’ is always used before the name of the Deity, and often in conversation of a grave and sorrowful nature.

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