Chapter XVI: A Few Simple Hints on the Grammar of the Folk-Speech (7)

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.

[73] Staggerum 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.

[75] _Vide_ Grimm’s _Household Tales_.

[76] As the children tell the story, they pronounce _crooked_, ‘crook-ed.’

[77] The 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.

[78] Henderson’s _Folklore_.

[79] Knotted hair.

[80] Both pronunciations are equally common.

[81] Walk.

[82] Brow.

[83] Purse.

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

[85] ‘Lair,’ a barn.

[86] ‘Streahy,’ strawy.

[87] ‘Seeat,’ soot.

[88] ‘Clais,’ clothes.

[89] E is used in the original.

[90] Horse.

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

[92] Riding apparel.

[93] Well dressed.

[94] Designed.

[95] Mind.

[96] Determined.

[97] False.

[98] Scythe.

[99] ‘Window’ is commonly pronounced _winder_, _winner_, and _windther_.

[100] _At_ is often used instead of _who_, _which_, and _that_.

[101] The _th_ and _dh_ sound, 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.

[103] Throughout, 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 ’‘Ez _a_ (or _eh_) ta’en ’t fra tha?’ But to save the reader much needless confusion, _he_ has 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.’

[106] Written _gi’en_.

[107] ‘On,’ prep. ‘of.’

[108] Rod = red.

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

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

[111] ‘Come’ is always pronounced ‘cum.’

[112] The 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.

[113] In 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.

[114] The 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.

[115] The map issued with the North-Eastern 1_d._ Time-table answers well for the purpose.

[116] Our dialect word _Fick_, which is the _Fik_ given, 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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LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS

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ALLISON, Dr. T., 9 Picton Place, Newcastle.

ALLISON, F., Church Green, Guisborough.

ANDERSON, TEMPEST, M.D., J.P., St. Agnes-gate, York.

ANDERSON, Major F. H., Fulford, York.

ANDERSON, W., Rimswell, Thornaby-on-Tees.

ARGLES, C. G., St. Clement’s Vicarage, York.

ASHTON, The Right Hon. Lord, Rylands, Lancaster.

B.

BACKHOUSE, C. H., J.P., Darlington.

BARKER, E., Cleveland House, West Hartlepool.

BARKER, G., Tancred Grange, Scorton.

BARLING, Dr. A. S., Dalton Square, Lancaster.

BARRACLOUGH, W., Swainby.

BAYNES, Alderman JNO., J.P., Ripon.

BEATTY, Dr. H. J., Van Mildert House, Stockton-on-Tees.

BECK, Mrs., Carthorpe House, Bedale.

BECKETT, E. W., M.P., 17 Stratton St., Piccadilly, W.

BELL, HUGH, J.P., Red Barnes, Redcar.

BELL BROS., Ltd., Middlesbrough.

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BEVERLEY, The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of, Bolton Percy.

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BIRD, Col. C. H., Crookhey Hall, Garstang, Lancashire.

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BLAIR, Gen., V.C., C.B., Thorpe Hall, Wycliffe, Darlington.

BLANDFORD, Dr. J. M., Norton, Stockton-on-Tees.

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BOWES-WILSON, T., Enterpen Hutton, Rudby (2 copies).

BOWSTEAD-WARWICK, P., Settlebeck, Sedbergh.

BRAMLEY, W., Church St., Guisborough.

BRIGGS, Rev. A. C., Moor Allerton.

BROOKSBANK, E. C., Helaugh Old Hall, Tadcaster.

BROWN, F., J.P., Norton, Stockton-on-Tees (2 copies).

BROWN, W. T., Yew Court, Scarborough.

BUCHANNAN, G., Whitby, Yorkshire.

BURRA, R., The Hall, Gate, Sedbergh.

BURRELL, Miss, Fairthorn, Botley, Hants.

BURTON, Rev. B. C., The Rectory, Cherry Burton, Beverley.

BURTON, D. F., The Hall, Cherry Burton, Beverley (2 copies).

BUTCHER, J. S., M.P., 22 Collingham Place, S.W.

C.

CADLE, C. E., 5 North Bailey, Durham.

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CARPENTER, Admiral the Hon. W. C., Kipling Hall, Northallerton.

CARTER, Rev. E. S., St. Michael’s-le-Belfry, York.

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CAYLEY, DIGBY, J.P., Brompton, R.S.O. (4 copies).

CHALONER, Mrs., Long Hull, Guisborough.

CHAPMAN, Mrs., The Cliff, Leyburn.

CHARLTON, W., North Eastern Bank, Durham.

CLARKE, A. F., The Ven. Archdeacon of Lancaster (2 copies).

CLEGG, J., 1 Spring Bank, Preston.

COBB, C., Clifton, York.

COLLIER, Rev. CARUS, Great Ayton.

COLLINSON, S., Royal Hotel, Scorton.

COLLISON, W., 79 Fenchurch St., London.

COMERLINE, Rev. A. S., York.

CONING, T., 28 Bankment, York.

COPER, Rev. J. M. A., Robin Hood’s Bay.

CORNEY, Miss, Newton Hall, Great Ayton.

CRADDOCK, C., J.P., Grove House, Wakefield.

CRUSHER, T., Forest Farm, Scorton.

D.

DALE, Sir DAVID, Bart., West Lodge, Darlington.

DALTRY, The Rev. VERNON G., The Rectory, Yarm.

DAWNAY, Col., The Hon., Benningbrough Hall.

DENT, Miss I., Ribston Hall, Wetherby.

DERBY, Right Hon. Earl, K.G., Knowsley, Prescot.

DIXON, DAVID, Brotton Hall.

DIXON, D. D., Coquetdale House, Rothbury.

DIXON, Sir RAYLTON, Kt., Gunnegate Hall, Cleveland.

DURHAM, The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of.

E.

EAVES, Mrs., The Vicarage, Lyminge.

ECCLES, E. E., Fenton House, Lancaster.

EDMUNDSON, C. F. P., Nutwith House, Masham.

ELLERTON, Dr. J., Grove Hill, Middlesborough.

ELLIOTT, C., The Lodge, Scorton.

EMMERSON, J. J., Easby Hall, Great Ayton (4 copies).

F.

FALLOW, T. M., Coatham House, Redcar.

FAWCET, Miss, North Bailey, Durham.

FIFE, Capt., Langton Hall, Northallerton.

FLINTOFF, C., The Grange, Scorton.

FORBES, C. M., 14 New St., York (2 copies).

FOSTER, MARTIN, Claremont, Norton.

FOWLER, Rev. J. C., Whorlton, Northallerton.

FRY, J., Cleveland Lodge, Great Ayton.

G.

GADDESDEN, Mrs., Hunmanby Hall, East Yorkshire (2 copies).

GALLIMORE, J. S., Escrick, York.

GAUSSEN, Rev., The Vicarage, Malton.

GILPIN BROWN, Mrs., Sedbury Park, Richmond, Yorkshire
(6 copies).

GISBORNE FAWCETT, T., Yarm (2 copies).

GRAVELY, A. C., Hutton Grange, Guisborough.

GRAY, The Right Hon. Lady Mayoress, York (2 copies).

GREENBANK, THOS., Bank of Liverpool, Sedbergh.

GREENWOOD, Capt., Swartcliff Hall, Leeds.

GREGSON, B. P., The Hall, Caton, Lancaster (2 copies).

H.

HALES, Rev., Aysgarth School, Jervaulx (2 copies).

HAMILTON RUSSELL, The Hon. CONSTANCE, Brancepeth Castle.

HARRISON, W., North Road, Ripon.

HARTLEY, Mrs., The Rectory, Burneston.

HAWKE, The Right Hon. Lady, Wighill Park, Tadcaster.

HAWKINS, C., Sowerby, Thirsk.

HEAD, Mrs. J., Hartburn Hall (2 copies).

HEAVISIDES, J., Stockton-on-Tees.

HEDLAM, Rev. A. W., Gainford (2 copies).

HEPPENSTALL, Rev. F. W., East Layton (2 copies).

HESLOP, R. O., 12 Arkenside Hill, Newcastle.

HILL, Miss, Romanby.

HILL, J., Newport, Middlesborough.

HINCKS, Capt. J. C., Terrace House, Richmond (2 copies).

HORSFALL, E. F. WILSON, Potto Grange (2 copies).

HOWARD, Rev. R. G., Hovingham.

HUDDART, Rev. G., Kirklington.

HULTON, ——, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancaster.

HUTTON DARCY, Miss E., Aldborough Hall, Masham.

HULL, The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of.

HUNTER, Rev. C., Seaton Carew.

HUNTER, Rev. F. W., Wath.

I.

INGLEBY, Sir H., Bart., Ripley Castle.

IRWIN, Rev. J., Hurworth.

IRVIN, Major, Ragworth, Norton.

J.

JAMES, Rev. F. G., The Rectory, Marske.

JEFFERSON, J., Dunnington Priory, York.

JOHNSON, Dr., Dallas Road, Lancaster.

JOHNSTONE, The Hon. Miss, Hackness Hall (8 copies).

JOHNSTONE, The Rev., Hackness Hall.

JONES, ED., Manor House, Scorton.

K.

KEARSLEY, Col. G., Prospect House, Ripon.

KENNEDY, Mrs., Wetherby.

KING, F. E., Edgley, Leyburn.

KIRK, W., Norton.

KITCHIN, A. E., The Firs, Great Ayton.

KITCHIN, H., The Grange, Great Ayton (2 copies).

KNIGHT, Rev. J. G. P., Eastgate, Darlington.

L.

LANGLEY, W. C., J.P., Stockton-on-Tees.

LASCELLES, The Hon. G. E., Sion Hill, Thirsk (2 copies).

LEADMAN, Dr. ALEX. D. H., Pocklington.

LEE, J. B., The Worshipful the Mayor, Ripon.

LEGARD, J. H., Welham, Malton.

LESLEY, Mrs. A., The Hall, Little Habton.

LEVETT, Rev. T. P., Richmond, Yorkshire.

LOCKWOOD, P. H., Sedbergh.

LODGE, Col., The Rookeries, Bishopdale.

LONDESBOROUGH, The Right Hon. Lord, Londesborough Park.

LONGBOTHAM, Dr. G. F., Birtley.

LOVEJOY, Rev. H. T., Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland.

M.

MACCARTIE, Rev. J., Wilton.

MASON, O. MATTHEWS, The Hall, Crayke.

MATTHEWS, F. W., The Bank, Leyburn.

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MAYNARD, A. C. HUTTON, Pickhill House, Pickhill (2 copies).

M^CCRIRICK, Rev. T. W., Stockton-on-Tees.

M^CKAY, W., Haldthorpe House, Scarborough.

MELROSE, J., Clifton Croft, York.

METCALFE, R. M. D., Leyburn.

MICKLE, Dr. G., Kirklington (2 copies).

MIDDLETON, Lady, The Right Hon. JULIA, Setterington House (4 copies).

MILNER, Mrs., The Mount, York (2 copies).

MITCHELL, Rev. A. P., The Rectory, Brotton (2 copies).

MITTAN, Rev. H., Sherburn House, Durham.

MOORSOM, M. MAUDE, Harewood, Leeds.

MORGAN, Rev. F. H., The Rectory, Guisborough.

MORRIS, Rev. M. C. F., The Rectory, Nunburnholme.

N.

NELSON, Alderman THOS., J.P., Newstadt, Norton.

O.

ORD, CHAS., Guisborough.

ORNSBY, J. A., 5 North Bailey, Durham.

ORTON, Mrs. E. S., Westgate, Guisborough.

OXFORD, The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of.

P.

PAGE, J. W., J.P., Norton, Stockton-on-Tees (2 copies).

PEARSON, H., Whitby.

PEASE, A. E., M.P., Pinchingthorpe Hall (2 copies).

PEASE, Mrs. G., Woodside, Darlington.

PEASE, HOWARD, Arcott Hall, Dudley, Northumberland.

PEASE, Sir JOSEPH W., Bart., M.P., Hutton Hall (2 copies).

PEASE, PIKE, Undercliff, Great Ayton.

PECKSTONE, J., Stockton-on-Tees.

PEEL, The Right Hon. Lady, Potterton Hall, Barnoldswick.

PEGLER, T. B., Sholebrook Avenue, Leeds.

PEIRSON, Rev. W. B., Rothwell, Leeds.

PLATNAUER, H. M., St. Olive’s Road, York (2 copies).

PLEWS, W. J., Southend End, Northallerton.

POLLEXFEN, Rev. H., Stanwick, Darlington.

PORTER, CHAS., Mill Vale, Great Ayton.

PRINCE, E., Woodhouse Moor, Leeds (2 copies).

PROUD, J., The Hall, East Layton.

PURVIS, R., 6 Westoe Crescent, South Shields.

R.

RAW, Rev. G., 250 Hawthorne Road, Bootle.

REYNARD, Capt., Camp Hill, Bedale.

RICHARDSON, W., Guisborough.

RICHMOND, The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of (4 copies).

RIDDELL, E. C., J.P., The Hall, Leyburn.

RIDDELL, Sir J., Bart., The Hall, Hepple, Rothbury.

RIPLEY, Rev. THOS., Kirklington.

RIPON, The Most Noble the Marchioness of.

RIPON, The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of.

RIPON, The Very Rev. the Dean of (2 copies).

ROBINSON, F. J. H., Easingwold.

ROBINSON, Rev. STEWART, The Rectory, Richmond, Yorkshire.

ROBINSON, Rev. W., The Rectory, Tadcaster.

ROPNER, G., J.P., The Grove, Richmond, Yorkshire.

ROPNER, Col. R., J.P., Preston Hall, Egglescliffe.

ROWCLIFFE, H. S., Guisborough.

ROWSELL, Rev. Canon, Topcliffe.

RUDD, A. G., The Worshipful the Mayor, Stockton-on-Tees.

S.

SALMAN, Rev. J. S., The Vicarage, Lastingham.

SCOTT, Rev. ERRINGTON, The Vicarage, Norton.

SEDGWICK, Miss, The Hall, Sedbergh.

SHAND, Dr., Fountain Street, Guisborough.

SHARP, F. J., Skelton, near Boroughbridge.

SHEFFIELD, The Right Hon. Lady, Yeadon Manor, Henley-on-Thames
(2 copies).

SISSONS, D. W., North Ferriby, Brough.

SISSONS, W., Nunthorpe, Jesmond Park.

SLINGSBY, W., Red House, Moor Monkton, York.

SMITH ALDERSON, G. A., J.P., D.L., Scarborough.

SMITH, E. J., The Bank, Bridlington (4 copies).

SMITH, T. RUDOLPH, 25 Bridge Road, Stockton-on-Tees.

SOMERSON, J., Pocklington.

SPRENT, Dr. W. S., Slingsby.

STANBRIDGE, T., The Hall, Harlsey.

STANNYFORTH, Capt. E., J.P., The Hall, Kirkhammerton.

STARKIE, Miss S., Scarthwaite, Lancashire.

STAVELEY, Miss, Old Slenningford Hall, Ripon.

STIRLING-NEWALL, Mrs., The Hall, Birtley, Durham.

STOBART, ——, The Hall, Spellow Hill (2 copies).

STOBART, Col. W., Pepper Arden.

STOREY, Sir THOS., D.L., Lancaster (2 copies).

ST. QUINTIN, W. H., J.P., Scampston Hall (2 copies).

STRICKLAND, Sir C., Bart., Boynton Hall (2 copies).

STRICKLAND CONSTABLE, Mrs., The Hall, Wassand (2 copies).

SUDLOW, THOS., Stockton-on-Tees.

T.

TATTERSAL, O., Green Royd, Ripon (2 copies).

TAYLOR, J., Brotton Grange, Brotton.

TEMPLE, Miss M., Saltergill, Yarm.

TETTLEY, A., The Right Hon. Lady Mayoress, Leeds (2 copies).

THOMSON, J. S., New Buildings, Thirsk (2 copies).

TINDAL, Miss, Kirby Misperton Hall, Pickering.

TOMLINSON, Miss, Heysham House, Lancaster.

TOMLINSON, Rev. W., Vicarage, North Cave.

TREVOR, W. C., Overbeck, Guisborough.

V.

VIE, E. J., Paradise Row, Stockton-on-Tees (2 copies).

W.

WADE, E. W., 5 Clyde Terrace, Hull.

WADE-DALTON, Col. HAMLET COOTE, C.B., Hawxwell Hall.

WAKEFIELD, The Right Rev. Lord Bishop of.

WALDY, Rev. A. G., Horsley Vicarage, Derby.

WALKER, Capt. GERALD, Hill House, Richmond, Yorkshire.

WALKER, Sir J., Bart., 41 Belgrave Square, S.W.

WARD, Rev. H., The Rectory, Amotherby.

WATSON, FRED. BYERS, Stockton-on-Tees.

WATSON, THOMAS, M.D., Argyle House, Stockton-on-Tees (2
copies).

WEST, Mrs., Stoneybrough, Thirsk.

WHITE, Col. W. A., J.P., Clifton Green, York.

WILLAN, Rev. A., The Vicarage, Copmanthorpe.

WILLIAMSON, T., J.P., Fairfield, Ripon.

WILSON, Miss A., Hutton House, Hutton Rudby.

WILSON, Mrs. A., Rockhurst, York (2 copies).

WILSON, I., Nunthorpe Hall.

WILSON, Rev. J. ALDER, Craythorne Rectory, Yarm.

WILSON, J. G., 12 South Bailey, Durham (2 copies).

WILSON, P., Bedale.

WILTON, R., The Rev. Canon, Londesborough.

WIMBUSH, Rev. S., The Rectory, Terrington.

WITHINGTON, Rev. R., Rectory, Great Ayton.

WOOD, F. MAURICE DALE, Swainby, Northallerton.

WOOD, Rev. F., The Rectory, Nunthorpe.

WRIGHT, Professor J., M.A., Langdale House, Oxford (2 copies).

WYNDHAM, Mrs., 31 Cambridge Street, Hyde Park, S.W.

WYNNE FINCH, Mrs., Manor House, Stokesley.

Y.

YEOMAN, Miss C., Prior House, Richmond, Yorkshire.

YORK, His Grace the Archbishop of.

Z.

ZETLAND, The Right Hon. Lord, Aske Hall, Richmond, Yorkshire.