GLOSSARY OF ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND NORTH RIDING WORDS

Giving only those daily in use at the present time, 1898, together with more than 1000 sentences as examples of the dialect.

For Rare and Obsolete Words, see other Glossaries.

N.B.—Some words as we pass from east to west of the North Riding differ slightly in pronunciation; such, when established over a sufficiently wide area, have been included in the Glossary. It is owing to this that the spelling of the same word varies throughout the work, as in all cases the dialect has been given in accordance with the pronunciation of the locality in which the incident or word uttered occurred. As a single example, take ‘fau’k,’ which is universal along the coast; further inland, in the Great Ayton and Stokesley district ‘fau’k’ and ‘fooak’ are equally common, whilst in Wensleydale and Swaledale ‘fooak’ is only heard.

ABBREVIATIONS.

abv.=abbreviated.

adj.=adjective.

adv.=adverb.

conj.=conjunction.

pron.=pronoun.

ex.=example.

intj.=interjection.

n.=noun.

N.R.=North Riding.

v.=verb.

part.=participle.

pp.=past participle.

prep.=preposition.

pret.=preterit.

num.=numeral.

A.

A or Eh, p. pr. He. Vide footnote, p. 326.

A, num. adj. One. Vide Yah, Yan.

A’, adj. All.

Aa! intj. Exclamation of surprise, admiration.

Aa, but. Aa, but Ah saay! intj. of comparison.

Ex.—Aa, but Ah saay! Ah aim ’at yon pig’s better ’an oors.

Aback, adv. Behind.

Aback o’ beyont, adv. Out of sight, out of the way.

Ex.—Them things is sadly i’ t’ road. Ah wish thoo’d git ’em aback o’ beyont.

Abeear, v. To endure.

Ex.—Ah caan’t abeear t’ seet o’ yon lass.

Aboon, prep. Above.

Aboon-heead, adv. Overhead.

Ex.—It leeaks a bit blackish aboon-heead.

Abraid, v. To wake, to stir up.

Abrede, adv. Width.

Accorn, Yackron, n. The acorn.

Acoz, conj. Because; often abv. to ‘’coz.’

Actilly, adv. Actually.

Addle, adj. Barren.

Addle, v. To earn.

Addlin’, n. A term of contempt.

Ex.—Thoo larl addlin’, ger awaay wi’ tha.

Addlin’s, n. Wages.

Admire, v. 1. To approve, to like.

2. To wonder.

Ex.—1. Ah deean’t admire a job o’ that soart. Ah admire t’ maist o’ what he did.

2. Ah caan’t bud admire at t’ waay he did it.

Adreead, adj. In a state of fear.

‘A’e, ‘Ev, v. Have.

Aether, Owther, conj. Either.

Afeear’d, adj. and part. Afraid, seized with fear.

Afoor, Afur, prep. Before.

Afoor- or Afur-lang, adv. Before long, very shortly.

After- or Efter-birth, n. Placenta.

Afterwit, Efterwit, n. An idea which strikes one often when too late to remedy a mistake.

Agaan, Ageean, prep. Again.

Agaanst or Ageeanst, prep. Against.

Agaate, Ageeat, adv. 1. On the way.

2. Begun; also used as a part.

3. To disturb.

4. To set going.

Ex.—1. Wa s’all git agaate ti morn at morn.

2. Ah’s agaate wi’ ‘t noo.

3. Naay, what! Ah’d gitten all sattled peeacably, an’ thoo gans an’ sets ’em all agaate agaan.

4. Ah’ve putten a new pin in, an’ sha’s agaate agaan noo.

Agee, adv. Askew.

Ah, per. pron. I.

Ah’ll, I will.

Ah’ll awaand, I will warrant.

Ah’ll be bun, I will be bound, I am sure.

Ahint, adv. and prep. Behind.

Aiblings, adv. Maybe, perhaps.

Aim, Aam, Yam, v. 1. To intend. 2. To be under the impression. Vide chapter on ‘Idioms.’

Ex.—1. Wa aim ti start ti flit ti morn fust thing, i.e. ‘We intend to remove our goods first thing to-morrow.’

2. Ah yam’d ’at he war Tommy’s bairn, i.e. ‘I thought that he was Tom’s bairn.’

Airm, n. Arm.

Airt, n. Point of the compass.

Ex.—What airt is t’ wind in? Whya, sha’s nobbut iv a bad airt; Ah doot ’at it’s nut gahin’ ti tak up.

Al, Yal, n. Ale.

Alaane, Aleean, adj. Alone.

Aliments, n. Elements.

All of a heh, adj. Inclining to one side.

All out, adv. Altogether, absolutely.

All ti nowt, Gone to nothing, dwindled away.

Ally, Ally-taw, n. A boy’s taw of white marble, distinct from either a stony or glassy.

Along of, prep. Owing to, in consequence of.

Amaist, Omaist, adv. Almost.

Amang, prep. Among.

Amang-hands, Implies the doing of certain work coincidently with other labour.

Amell, prep. In the midst, between.

Ance, Vide Yance.

An’, conj. And.

‘An, conj. Than.

An’ all, conj. and adv. As well as, besides, truly.

Ane, num. adj. One, usually followed by ’ither,’ i.e. other.

Ex.—If Ah’ll tak t’ ane, will thoo tak t’ ither? Vide Yan.

Anew, adj. Enough in number.

Angry, adj. Inflamed.

Anotherkins, adj. Different altogether.

Ex.—Sha sartinly raffled on tiv a gert len’th, bud sha nivver tell’d ma ’at Willie hed offered ti gi’e ma summat—that’s anotherkins, thoo knows.

Anters, conj. For fear, lest.

Any, Onny, adv. At all, in the least.

Ex.—Ah doan’t aim ’at he’ll help onny, i.e. ‘I do not think that he will help at all.’ He teeak ho’d, bud he didn’t lift onny, i.e. ‘He took hold, but he did not lift in the least.’

Apace, Apaace, adv. With great speed.

Ex.—He’s gitten tweea mair lads; he’ll git on apaace noo.

Appron, n. The fat covering the belly of ducks and geese.

Arf, Arfish, adj. 1. Timid, fearful.

2. Unwilling.

Ex.—1. He wur a bit arfish when t’ dog boonced oot.

2. Naay, Ah deean’t think he’ll cum, he seem’d a bit arfish when Ah ax’d him.

Argify, v. To argue.

Arn, v. To earn.

Arr, n. A scar.

Ex.—Ah’s afeear’d he’ll be arr’d sairly on his feeace, he gat sae badly bo’nt.

Arran web, n. A cobweb.

Arridge, n. The rough edge left after either sawing or filing; the edge of a squared stone, of furniture, &c.

Arse-end, n. The end of a stook which rests upon the ground.

Arsey-varsey, Upside down, great confusion.

Ashads, prep. Beside.

Asher, adj. Ashen.

Ask, Esk, n. The newt.

Aslew, adj. Not perpendicular.

Ass, v. Vide Ax.

Asseer, v. To assure, adv. Instead, in the place of.

Assel-tree, n. Axle-tree.

Ass-hoal, n. A hole with a grate over it, usually under the kitchen fire, to hold the fine ash.

Assil-teeath or -tewth, n. A molar, a back tooth.

Ass-manner, n. Manure obtained from the ash-midden.

Ass-midden, n. The place in which ashes and other refuse is thrown.

Asteead, adv. Instead.

As tite, Ez tite, adv. As soon, rather, readily.

Ex.—Ah’d ez tite gan ez stop, i.e. ‘I would as soon go as stay.’ Ah’d ez tite kiss t’ dowter ez t’ muther, i.e. ‘I would rather kiss the daughter than the mother.’

‘At, rel. pron. and conj. 1. Who.

2. That.

3. Which.

Ex.—1. Him ’at tell’d tha, tell’d tha wrang, i.e. ‘He who told you, told you wrongly.’

2. Ah caan’t saay ’at ivver Ah did, i.e. ‘I cannot say that ever I did.’

At, prep. 1. To.

2. Also used in a verbal sense of to worry.

3. To attack.

4. To bother.

Ex.—1 and 3. What’s he deean at tha ’at thoo s’u’d at him leyke that? i.e. ‘What has he done to you that you should attack or illuse him like that.’

2 and 4. Ah s’all ’ev ti let her ’ev t’ pup, ska’s awlus at ma aboot it.

Atefter or Atefther, adv. Afterwards.

Ex.—Whya, noo, Ah’ll see tha atefter aboot it. Aye, that’s what he sed at fo’st, bud he tell’d a different taal atefter.

Athout, prep. and conj. Without, unless.

Atop o’, prep. On the top of.

Atter, n. Matter, mucus.

Atween, prep. Between.

Au’d-feshioned, adj. Precocious, antique.

Au’d-leyke, adj. Aged.

Aught, n. Anything.

Aund, Awned, pp. Possessed.

Aw, adj. All.

Aw, intj. Oh.

Awaay, intj. Go on, continue doing the same thing.

Ex.—It maay scream awaay foor owt ’at Ah care, i.e. ‘Scream on.’ ‘Fight away, my lads.’ ‘Shout away, my boys.’

Awaay-gannin’ crops, n. The crops an outgoing tenant sows and reaps on the farm he is leaving, in consideration of certain other land which he has fallowed and manured.

Awanting, adj. 1. Needed.

2. Lacking sense.

Ex.—1. T’ land’s vastly awanting a sup o’ rain.

2. That bairn’s a bit awanting.

Awe, Vide Owe.

Awhahl, conj. Awhile. Vide Whahl.

Awkward, Vide Okkad.

Awlus, Allus, adv. Always.

Awm, n. The elm.

Awn, v. 1. To own.

2. To admit.

Ex.—1. Ah awn t’ dog, i.e. ‘I own the dog.’

2. Did ta awn tiv owt? i.e. ‘Did you admit anything?’ Neea, Ah awned ti nowt, i.e. ‘No, I admitted nothing.’ Ti awn ti, is ‘to confess.’

Ax, Ax’d, Ass, or Ast, v. To ask.

Ex.—Ah ax’d him, bud he wadn’t ’a’e neea truck. Ah’s ast oot ti tea ti morn at neet. Ah wadn’t ax him owt, or ass him.

Ax’d at chetch or chŭch } Publishing the banns.

Ax’d oot }

Ex.—Tha’ll be ax’d at chetch o’ Sunday; he’s putten t’ spurrings in.

Aye, bairn. Assent.

Aye, foor seear. Aye, for sure.

Aye, marry, adv. Certainly, yes.

Ex.—Diz ta believe what sha’s sed aboot Hannah? Aye, marry, that Ah deea—Hannah war sadly flowtered t’ other daay, when Ah plump’d her wi’ ‘t.

B.

Bab, Babby, n. A baby.

Babbles an’ Saunters, 1. Wearying repetitions.

2. Unreliable information.

Ex.—1. T’ sarmon war larl better ’an babbles an’ saunters.

2. Tak neea notish ov owt ’at sha sez, all ’at sha knaws is babbles an’ saunters.

Back, v. Vide Backen.

Back-bearaway, n. The common bat.

Back-burden, n. A load carried on the back.

Backen, v. 1. To retard.

2. To hold in check.

Ex.—1. T’ frost ’ll backen things a gay bit.

2. Wa did all ’at ivver wa c’u’d, bud wa c’u’dn’t backen t’ inflammation;

’t ’ed gitten past deeaing owt, afoor t’ doctor cam.

Back-end, n. The time following harvest.

Backendish, adj. Winterly.

Ex.—It’s cau’d, an’ begins ti feel a larl bit backendish.

Backerly, adj. and adv. Late, backward.

Backly, adv. Late, backward.

Backreck’nin’, n. A misunderstanding.

Ex.—Noo Ah’ve maad it plaan, ’evn’t Ah? foor Ah deean’t want neea backreck’nin’ at efter.

Back-talk, n. Impudently answering again.

Back-side, n. 1. The back of the house.

2. That part which is opposed to the front of anything.

Ex.—1. Put t’ barrer at t’ back-side.

2. It’s at t’ back-side o’ t’ barn.

Backstan, n. A sheet of iron, sometimes a stone, having an iron hoop to hang it over the fire by, used to bake cakes upon.

Back up, To get one’s, To make angry.

Back-word, adv. To countermand, to decline.

Bad, adj. 1. Difficult.

2. Unwell.

Ex.—1. Ah finnd it varra bad ti deea.

2. Ah feel ez bad ez ivver Ah can.

Bad, Bod, pret. of ’to bid.’

Ex.—Ah bad, an’ sha bod, an’ Tommy gat it.

Badger, n. A huckster.

Badger, v. To beat down in a bargain.

Ex.—Thoo mun ass him a lump mair ’an what thoo wants, foor he’s a despert yan at badgering.

Badly, adv. 1. Sickly, ill.

2. Very much.

Ex.—1. Mah wo’d, bud Ah is badly.

2. Ah’s badly i’ want ov a self-binnder. It badly wants leeaking teea.

Badness, n. Wickedness.

Ex.—He’s full o’ nowt bud badness.

Bags Ah fuggy, ‘I claim the first,’ whether it be innings or first place in a game, &c.

Bahd, Vide Bide.

Bainest, adj. The nearest.

Ex.—It’s t’ bainest waay ti gan byv t’ pastur.

Bairn, Barn, Baan, n. A child.

Bairn-birth, n. Lying-in.

Bairnish, adj. Childish.

Bairn-lakings, n. Playthings.

Bakin’, n. The whole of the bread baked at one time.

Bakus, Bakehoos, n. The bakehouse.

Balk, Bawk, n. A beam, also a worthless corner of a field.

Ball, n. The palm of the hand, or sole of the foot.

Bally-bleeazes, n. A bonfire.

Bam, n. and v. 1. A cheat, a joke, to cheat.

2. To play a joke.

Ex.—1. He bamm’d ivvery hand he played.

2. He went all t’ waay ti Stowsla ti see her, an’ sha nivver cam oot; it war nowt bud a bam o’ Jack’s.

Band, n. String, twisted straw used by the harvesters to bind sheaves with.

Band-maker, n. A maker of bands in the harvest-field.

Bang, v. To thrash.

Bangs all, v. Surpasses everything.

Ex.—He bangs all, yon youth. That’s a capper; it bangs all, it diz.

Bank up, v. To collect in masses, as clouds.

Banky, adj. Hilly, applied to road or land.

Bar, adj. Bare.

Barfan, n. A horse-collar.

Bargh, Barugh, Barf, n. A hill forming part of a low ridge, as Lang Barugh, Great Ayton.

Bargollies, n. Young birds before they are feathered.

Barguest, n. An apparition, applied to ghosts in general.

Barken’d, v. Encrusted.

Barley-bairn, n. A child born shortly after marriage.

Barm, n. Yeast.

Barren, n. The external part of the sexual organ of a cow.

Barrow, n. The flannel in which a newly-born child is wrapped.

Bass, n. Any kind of matting made from reeds or grass.

Bat, n. 1. A blow.

2. A condition.

3. A small amount of work.

Ex.—1. Ah gav’ him sike a bat ower t’ lug.

2. He’s awlus at that bat, i.e. ‘game.’

3. Ah’ve nut deean a bat sen yesterdaay.

Bate, v. To reduce in price.

Ex.—Thoo’ll ’a’e ti bate summat afoor wa can barg’in.

Bath, v. To wash a child; to foment with hot water.

Batten, n. Two sheaves of straw.

Batter, n. An inclination inwards, a narrowing towards the summit. A wall which is wider at the base than at the summit is said to ’batter.’

Ex.—Thoo’ll be leyke ti gi’e it a bit mair batter, foor if t’ bank at t’ back gi’es waay, it’ll nivver bahd it thrussin’ agaan ’t.

Batter-fanged, adj. Beaten and scratched by a woman.

Ex.—He nobbut sed tweea wo’ds ti Ann, when sha batter-fang’d him sairly.

Battin, n. A rafter of any length, 7 × 2½ in. thick.

Baufy, adj. Strong.

Bavin, n. A bundle of sticks.

Bawks, n. The yoke.

Bazzak, v. To strike with force.

Beck, n. A small stream.

Bedfast, adj. Confined to bed.

Bed-happings, n. Bedclothes.

Bed-heead, n. The pillow end.

Bedho’dden, adj. Vide Bedfast.

Bedoot, Beoot, prep. 1. Without.

2. Unless.

Ex.—1. He’s gahin’ ti gan bedoot tha.

2. Bedoot thoo cums an’ all, Ah saan’t gan, soa thoo knaws.

Bedstock, n. The wooden frame of a bed.

Bed-twilt, n. Bed-quilt.

Beeaf, n. The bough of a tree. Vide also Bugh.

Beeak, v. To bake.

Beeal, v. 1. To roar as an animal.

2. To cry out in pain.

3. To shout loudly.

Ex.—1. He beeal’d leyke a bull when tha catch’d him.

2. Ah nivver heeard a lass beeal oot leyke what sha did when t’ doctor cut her wicklow.

3. When he calls o’ yan, he beeals ez if yan war deeaf; he ommaist deavens yan.

Beean, n. A bone.

Beean’t, Be not (am not).

Beearer, n. Martingale.

Beeas, Beeos, Beeast, n. An animal of the ox kind.

Beeaslings, n. The first milk drawn from a cow after calving.

Beeldin’, n. A building.

Bee-skep, n. A straw hive.

Behappen, v. To happen to, perhaps.

Behauf, n. Behalf, sake.

Beho’dden, pp. To be indebted to.

Belang, v. To own, to belong to.

Belder, v. To bellow as a bull, to cry out loudly.

Beleyke, adv. Probably.

Belk, v. To belch.

Bellacing, part. A sound thrashing.

Belly-cheer, n. Good cheer.

Belly-glut, n. A greedy glutton.

Belly-timber, n. Food.

Belly-wark, n. A pain in the stomach.

Belt, pp. of ‘Build.’

Bensil, n. A blow.

Bensiling, n. A sound chastisement.

Ex.—Ah’ll gi’e tha sike a bensiling if ivver thoo cums that gam agaan.

Benty, adj. Wiry, blue-looking, applied to pasture herbage.

Berry-tree, n. The gooseberry tree.

Bessy-babs, n. One who behaves like a child.

Bessy-bainworts, n. Daisies.

Bessy-ducker or -douker, n. The water-ousel.

Best leg first, To put one’s = To hurry.

Ex.—If ya aim ti catch t’ traan ya’ll ’a’e ti put yer best leg fo’st.

Best and Bested. Used in a verbal sense—1. To get the better of.

2. To overcome.

Ex.—1. Ah bested him, i.e. ‘I got the better of him.’

2. Ah can seean best yon youth, i.e. ‘I can soon vanquish that fellow,’

Bethink, Bethowt, v. To recollect.

Ex.—Ah caan’t bethink ma ov hauf o’ what sha sed. When Tom ga’ ma a inklin’ Ah bethowt ma ov ivverything ’at ’ed ta’en pleeace; aye, all ’at t’ ane ’ed sed ti t’ other, thoff afoor that all t’ lot ’ed cleean slipped fra mah mahnd.

Better, adj. and v. 1. More.

2. To gain by.

3. Improved in health.

Ex.—1. It’s better ’an a month sen.

2. Ah s’ better mysel by changing pleeaces.

3. Ah’s a lot better ti-daay.

Bettering, n. An improvement.

Bettermy, adj. 1. Used to denote those in a higher position.

2. Polished.

Ex.—1. T’ bettermy fau’k ’ez their waays, an’ wa’ ‘ev oors; bud when onny on ’em cums inti mah cottage, Ah awlus puts on mah bettermy manners, an’ Ah can scrape mah tongue an’ knack a bit wi t’ best on ’em.

Beyont, prep. Beyond.

Bickerin’, n. A wordy conflict, quarrelling.

Ex.—Tommy an’ Mary’s at it agaan; Ah nivver heeard sike bickerin’ deed ez yon tweea ’ev, tha’re awlus at it.

Bid, v. To invite to a funeral.

Bidder, n. The person deputed to bid guests to a funeral.

Bide, Bahd, v. 1. To endure.

2. To wait.

3. To dwell.

Ex.—1. Ah caan’t bahd yon chap.

2. Ah’ll bahd here whahl ya cum.

3. Wheear did ta bahd afoor thoo cam ti live here?

Big, adj. Strong—of the wind.

Ex.—It war a fairly big wind last neet.

Bigg, n. Barley having four rows of ears on one stalk.

Bike, n. The nest of the wild bee.

Bile, n. A boil.

Binch, n. A bench to work upon.

Bink, n. A long seat of either stone or wood.

Binnd, v. To bind.

Binnder, Binndther, n. The tier-up of sheaves.

Birk, n. The birch-tree.

Birr, n. Rapid motion accompanied with a sound like whirr-r-r.

Ex.—T’ bo’ds gat up an’ went wi’ sike a birr, ’at Ah aim he war ti freet’n’d ti shut at ’em.

Bishel, n. A bushel.

Bishopped, Vide Set on.

Biv, Byv, prep. By.

Bizzum, Buzzum, n. A broom.

Bizzum-heead, n. A person who is equally foolish and stupid.

Bizzum- or Buzzum-heeaded, adj. Stupid and foolish.

Black-clocks, n. Black beetles.

Blacking, n. A severe scolding.

Bladdry, Blathery110, adj. Muddy, applied to soft splashy mud.

Blaeberry, n. The bilberry.

Blair, v. To roar loudly, to shout loudly.

Blake, adj. Of a light golden hue, pale.

Ex.—Noo, that’s a bit o’ neyce blake butter. Thoo nobbut leeaks blakeish.

Blake, v. Intoxicated.

Ex.—Jim war fairly blake last neet.

Blane, n. A small boil.

Blash, v. 1. To splash with water.

2. adj. Nonsense, idle talk.

Blashment, n. Melted snow or soft mud.

Blashy, adj. Applied to wet weather. The roads are said to be ‘blashy’ when the snow melts.

Blather, adj. and n. Nonsense.

Bleb, n. A blister, a small bubble.

Bleck, n. The dirt and oil worked together on a machine.

Bleea, n. The inner bark of a tree.

Blendcorn, n. A mixture of wheat and rye.

Blendings, n. A mixture of peas and beans.

Blether, n. Noisy foolish talk.

Bletherheead, n. One full of silly talk.

Blew milk, n. Skim milk.

Blind-worm, n. A non-venomous snake.

Blirt, v. To tell anything suddenly.

Ex.—Yan caan’t trust Sally wi’ nowt, sha blirts oot all sha knows.

Blish-blash, n. Tittle-tattle.

Blo’, n. Bloom.

Blob, v. To bubble, as air rising in water.

Ex.—He tumm’l’d blob inti t’ beck is quite a common form of speech. The original meaning may have been that the falling in caused many bubbles.

Bloss, v. and n. 1. To make ugly, to disfigure.

2. A dowdy.

Ex.—1. Her feeace war bloss’d wi’ blebs an’ blanes.

2. Sha is a bloss is yon lass.

Blotch, n. A blot, a spot.

Blubber or Bluther, v. To cry.

Blur, v. To blot or smear.

Blurt, v. To suddenly weep.

Blustery, adj. Squally.

Blutherment, n. Puddle, slush of any kind.

Bobblekins, n. The water buttercup.

Bodden, v. 1. To impose too heavy a task.

2. To accuse, to charge with.

Ex.—1. He’s bodd’n’d t’ lad wi’ mair an’ a day’s wark.

2. Well, an’ thoo’d ’a’e slapt her a feeace an’ all if sha’d bodd’n’d thee wi’ t’ seeam ez sha plump’d me wi’.

Bodden, pp. of ‘to bide.’

Boddum, v. To thoroughly investigate.

Ex.—Ah’ll boddum ’t if it cost ma fahve pund.

Boddums, n. and adj. Lowest, lowest ground.

Boddy, n. A person.

Ex.—Sha’s a deeacent boddy, is ‘Liza.

Boggart } n. A ghost.

Boggle }

Boggle, v. To jib, to frame badly; also a n. inaptitude.

Ex.—He’ll mak nowt bud a boggle on ’t.

Boiling, n. The whole lot, whether of persons or things.

Bolden, v. To encourage, to incite.

Ex.—Yance ower Ah felt a larl bit fearsome, bud he bolden’d ma ti deea ’t, seea Ah bunched him.

Boll, n. The trunk of a tree.

Bonny, adj. 1. A large quantity or number.

2. Strange.

3. Good-looking.

Ex.—Aye, ther’ wur a bonny lot on ’em, a vast mair ’an Ah’d aim’d ti see.

2. Ther’ll be bonny deed i’ Bedale a week cum Mundaay.

3. It’s a bonny-leeaking meer.

Bon’t! intj. Bother it (literally, burn it).

Bo’nt, pp. Burnt.

Ex.—Sha’s bo’nt her pinny wiv a cat’ren wheel.

Booak, Bowk, v. To retch, to vomit.

Book, Bouk, n. Bulk.

Bool, v. To trundle a hoop.

Booler, n. A child’s hoop.

Bor, n. The seed of the burdock.

Borril, n. The gadfly.

Bost, v. To burst or break in small pieces.

Botch, v. To repair in an unworkmanlike manner.

Botchet, n. Mead, made from honey.

Bottery, Bore-tree, Bur-tree, n. The alder-tree.

Bottom, Vide Boddums.

Boult or Bou’t upright. Upright, erect.

Boun, Bun, adj. Going, on the point of.

Ex.—Ah’s bun ti deea’t t’ next job. Ah doot t’ au’d thing’s boun ti dee. Ah war just boun ti pop ower, if thoo ’edn’t dropt in.

Bound, Bun, adj. Compelled.

Ex.—Ah’s ’a’e ti gan, in fact Ah’s bound ti gan.

Bounder-marks or -steeans, n. Stones erected to mark boundaries.

Bow-bridge or -brigg, n. A one-arched bridge, several of which still exist.

Bowdykite, n. An impudent child.

Boxin, adj. Buxom.

Brack, pret. of ‘to breke,’ ‘breck,’ or ‘breeak.’

Bracken, n. The common fern (Pteris aquilina).

Brade, v. To spread abroad.

Brading aboot, part. Gossiping.

Brae, n. The overhanging portion of the bank of a river.

Braeful, adj. Bankful.

Brag, v. To boast.

Brahdal-bands, Vide Bridal-bands.

Brahd-wain, n. A wagon laden with furniture, &c., taken from the home of the bride.

Braid-band, n. A sheaf of corn laid out to dry.

Bramlings, n. The red worms used as bait for trout.

Bramm’l, n. The bramble.

Brander, n. An arrangement varying in design—often in the shape of a tripod—fixed over the fire to support pans, &c.

Brander, v. To cook over the fire.

Brandery, n. A wood frame used in making wells.

Bran-new, Brander spander new, adj. Quite new.

Brant, adj. Steep.

Ex.—Thoo’ll ’a’e ti put t’ skid on, its varra brant.

Brash, n. Useless refuse, a rising of acid into the mouth.

Brashy, adj. Worthless.

Brass, n. 1. Money.

2. Impudence.

Ex.—1. Brass nivver chinks sae sweetly ez when t’ soond cums fra yan’s awn pocket.

2. If he’d nobbut hauf ez mich brass iv his pocket ez he ’ez iv his feeace, he nivver need deea a hand stroak.

Brassend, Brazzend, adj. Impudent. When applied to a female, immoral.

Brat, n. A child.

Brattice, n. A wooden partition dividing two rooms.

Bratty, adj. Applied to cream or milk when turning sour.

Brave, adj. Good in quality as well as in appearance.

Bravely, adj. and adv. Exceeding, exceedingly well.

Bray, v. 1. To thrash, flog.

2. To overcome.

Ex.—1. Ah’ll bray tha when thoo cums in.

2. Ah can bray yon chap wi’ yah han’ i’ mah pocket.

Brazent, Brazened. Impudent. Vide Brassend.

Breaks, Brooks, n. Boils.

Breeath, To take away one’s = To overcome.

Ex.—It teeak mah breeath away when tha tell’d ma ’at he’d deean foor hissen, i.e. ‘It filled me with surprise when they told me that he had deean for hissen,’ i.e. committed suicide.

Brede, n. Breadth.

Bree, Breece, n. The gadfly.

Breer }

Breear } n. The briar, the dog-rose.

Breeacus, Breckus, n. Breakfast.

Breead leeaf or loaaf, n. A bread loaf.

Breead meal, n. Flour from which brown bread is made.

Breead-ratched, adj. Broad-striped.

Breeak, Breek, Brek, v. To break.

Breeak one’s day, To = To fail to keep an appointment; to spoil a day’s employment by having to attend to some trivial duty.

Breeam, n. The broom (Genista scoparia).

Breed, n. A brood, a litter.

Breekin’, n. That part of a tree where the stem breaks into branches.

Breekless, adj. Without breeches.

Breeks, n. Breeches.

Breke or Breear, v. To break.

Bridal-band, n. The name given to the bride’s garter (obsolete).

Bride-ale, n. Another form of hotpot. Vide chapter on ‘Customs.’

Bride-wain, n. Vide Brahd-wain.

Brief, n. A begging letter.

Brigg, n. A bridge; a natural bed of rocks standing considerably out of the water and projecting into the sea.

Briggsteean, n. Flags or stones covering a culvert in front of a gateway, or in other places, so as to serve the purpose of a bridge in miniature.

Brim, v. Applied to a sow when inclined to the boar.

Brissling, adj. A slight gale of wind.

Brock, n. The badger; the frog-hopper or cuckoo-spit (Aphrophora spumaria).

Brog, v. To feed on the young hedge-shoots.

Brokken-bodied, adj. Suffering from hernia.

Brole, Browl, Brul, n. An impudent, saucy girl.

Bru, n. The brow, forehead.

Bruff, Bluff, adj. Fresh-complexioned, rough in speech, brusque.

Brully, n. A squabble amongst neighbours, a broil, a storm at sea of short duration.

Brully }

Brullier } n. A stealer of marbles.

Brully, v. To steal marbles (taws) from the ring whilst a game is in progress, by some bully having no part in the game.

Brumm’l-neeased, -nooazed, -noased } adj. Rubicund.

Brumm’l-snouted }

Brumm’ls, Vide Bramm’l.

Brunt, Vide Brant.

Brussel, Brissel, v. To hector, swagger, show off.

Ex.—He went bruss’ling aboot ez if t’ field war hisen, bud when Jack’s lad offered him oot ti feight, he ’edn’t a wo’d ti saay foor hissel.

Brussen, pp. of Burst.

Brussen-hearted, adj. Broken-hearted.

Brussen oot, adj. Covered with blotches or sores.

Brussen or Brusten up, adj. Burst, broken into small pieces.

Buckheeads, n. The living stump of a thorn hedge left to grow after slashing.

Budge, v. To move, to give way in a bargain.

Ex.—Ah weean’t budge an inch foor neeabody. Ah weean’t budge a farden.

Buer, n. The gnat.

Buff, n. The blow given as a challenge to fight.

Bugh, Bew, n. A bough.

Bull, v. To serve a cow.

Bullace, n. Wild plum, of a green colour when ripe.

Bull-feeaces, Bull-fronts, n. The hair-grass (Aira caespitosa).

Bull-heead, n. A small flat-headed fish found under stones, the miller’s thumb.

Bullock, v. To bully, to be overbearing.

Ex.—If thoo aims ’at thoo can cum a bullocking o’ ma, thoo’s wrang, sae thoo’d better off wi’ thisel.

Bulls, n. Bulrushes, also the cross-beams of a harrow which carry the tines.

Bulls and segs, n. The name often given to the stalk and seed-head of the bulrush, the leaves being called ‘segs’; hence ‘bulls and segs.’

Bull-seg, A bull castrated in its prime.

Bull-spink, n. The chaffinch.

Bull-stang, Bull-teng, n. Dragon-fly.

Bull-steean, n. A stone used for sharpening tools.

Bullyrag, v. To be exceedingly overbearing.

Bum-bailiff, n. A bailiff.

Bumm’l-barfan, n. A horse-collar made of reeds.

Bumm’l-bee, n. The humble-bee.

Bumm’l-kites, n. The fruit of the bramble.

Bumper } Vide { Thumper.

Bumping } { Thumping.

Bumping, n. An initiating ceremony at some schools of bumping a new boy on a stoop or otherwise.

Bunch, v. To kick with the foot, or violently bump with the knee. N.B.—‘To bunch’ is ‘to kick,’ ‘to punch’ is ‘to hit.’

Burden, Bod’n, n. Anything one has to bear, whether mentally or physically.

Burden-band, n. A hempen band used to bind hay, to be carried on the back.

Burdened, adj. Insane.

Burn, n. A brook.

Burr, n. Anything used to prop a wheel from running backwards downhill. A burr proper is a round cylinder of wood with a loose iron pin through it; this is so fixed that it runs on the ground behind the wheel, and automatically prevents the wheel running back.

Burr-thistle, n. The spear-headed thistle.

Busk, n. A small bush.

Bustard, n. A witch bereft of power to work ill (obsolete). Vide chapter on ‘Witchcraft.’

Butch, v. To kill as a butcher.

Butt, n. The halibut.

Butter-fingered, adj. Applied to one who lets things drop.

Butter-mouthed, adj. Flattery.

Butter-scotch, n. A superior kind of toffee.

Buzzard, n. A large moth.

Buzznacking, part. Gossiping.

By mich, adj. By a good deal.

By noo, adj. By now, by this time.

Ex.—Thoo owt ti ’a’e lap’t t’ job up by noo.

Byre, n. A cow-house.

C.

Caan’t, pronounced ‘carnt,’ v. Cannot, must not.

Ex.—You caan’t do that, i.e. ‘You must not do that.’

Cabbish, n. Cabbage.

Cade, n. A sheep-tick. Vide Kead.

Cadge, v. To beg.

Cadger, n. A carrier, a beggar.

Caff, n. Chaff.

Caffed, adj. Cowed, dispirited.

Caff-hearted, adj. Nervous, cowardly, unprincipled.

Caffy, adj. Worthless.

Caggy, adj. Touchy, disposed to quarrel.

Cagmag, adj. and n. Worthless.

Caingy, adj. Fretful, peevish.

Cake, v. To cackle.

Caling, v. To gossip.

Call, n. Occasion, necessity, reason.

Ex.—Ah’s nut gahin’, Ah’ve neea call ti gan, i.e. ‘I am not going, I have no occasion to go. Ther wur neea call for tha ti deea that.

Call, v. 1. To scold.

2. To quarrel.

3. To call to or for.

Ex.—1. Sha’s nobbut calling o’ ma ti call ma, i.e. ‘She is only shouting for me to (give) me a scolding.’

2. Tha’re calling yan anuther leyke all that, i.e. ‘They are quarrelling with one another like anything.’

3. Ah’ll call on him ti cum, i.e. ‘I will shout for him to come.’

Callet, n. A scold, a railing woman.

Callet, v. To scold.

Callety, adj. Scolding, nagging.

Call of, Call on, v. To cry to.

Calven-coo, n. A cow recently calved.

Cam, Camside, n. A raised earthen bank, the sloping bank from a hedge bottom.

Cambril, Caumbril, Caum’ril, n. The notched wooden bar which is thrust through the tendons of the hind legs of a slaughtered beast to suspend it by.

Can, v. May. ‘Can’ is commonly used for ‘may.’

Ex. Q. Can I smoke here? Ans. No, you caan’t, i.e. ‘No, you may not.’

Canker, v. To rust.

Cankery, adj. Cross, rotten.

Cannily, adv. Wisely, with subtility, nicely.

Canny, adj. Pleasing, judicious, skilful, considerable as to number.

Ex.—Sha’s a canny lass, i.e. ‘pleasing.’ Thoo fraam’d varra cannily wiv him, i.e. ‘You set to work very judiciously with him.’ He did it varra cannily, i.e. ‘He did it very skilfully.’ Whya, ther wur a cannyish few on ’em, i.e. ‘Why, there were a considerable number.’

Cant, v. To raise one end.

Canty, adj. Full of spirits, lively.

Cap, v. To fix a piece of leather over the toe of a boot; to surprise, bewilder, excel.

Ex.—Ah nivver war sae capped i’ mah leyfe, i.e. ‘I never was so surprised in my life.’ Ah caan’t tell hoo he mannish’d ti deea ’t, he capped me, i.e. ‘I cannot say how he managed to do it, he bewildered me.’ Yon caps ’em all, i.e. ‘That one over there excels them all.’

Capper, n. Something which surpasses all others.

Caps all = Exceeds in everything.

Capster, n. A piece of wood roughly shaped like the bridge of a bagatelle board, each arch being numbered, the boy winning by that number placed over the arch he shoots through; should he not succeed in passing through any arch, he loses his taw.

Card up, v. To sweep and tidy up the fireside.

Cark, v. To be careful, anxious.

Carlings, n. Peas cooked in butter, prepared for Carling Sunday.

Carneyed, pp. Flattered, coaxed.

Carp, v. To doubt without reason.

Carr, n. Low-lying boggy land.

Carryings on, n. Lively, disorderly proceedings.

Cassen, Vide Kessen.

Cast down, To be, v. To be downhearted, dispirited.

Cast, Kest, adj. Not straight, warped.

Cast, Kest, v. To cease wearing.

Ex.—Ah kest yan o’ my petticoats, and Ah’ve catch’d my deeath o’ cau’d.

Cast, To be, v. To be bent, warped.

Cast up, v. 1. To twit a person with some past failing.

2. To happen unexpectedly.

3. To come to light.

Ex.—1. Ah think ’at Ah wadn’t kest that up at him.

2. Well, it caps yan when a thing leyke that kests up.

3. Ah thowt ’at Ah’d lost it, but it kest up i’ yan o’ ma au’d coats.

Catch it, v. To be reprimanded, punished.

Ex.—Thoo’ll catch it when thi mudher sees tha. I heard a woman say to her daughter, when giving the child a jug of milk to take to a neighbour’s, If thoo lets it drop, thoo’ll catch it.

Cat-collop, n. Cat’s-meat.

Cat-gallows, n. Two upright forked sticks upon which a cross-bar rests as an obstacle for boys to jump over.

Cat-haws, n. The fruit of the hawthorn.

Cat-jugs, Vide Dog-choops.

Cats and eyes, n. Seeds of the ash-tree.

Cat-trail, n. The root of valerian.

Cau’d, adj. and n. Cold.

Cauf, Cauff, n. A calf.

Cauf-heead, n. A stupid fellow.

Cauf-lick, n. A tuft of hair on the forehead which cannot be parted or made to lie flat.

Cauf-riddling, Vide chapter on ‘Superstition.’

Caul, n. Vide Keld.

Causer, Caus’ay, n. A causeway, a paved footpath.

Cess, n. A rate for parish relief;

the amount paid to the poor by the overseer.

Cess, n. 1. Extra effort.

2. Punishment.

Ex.—1. Gi’e ’t cess, an’ thoo’ll seean ’a’e ’t deean, i.e. ‘Give it an extra effort, and you will soon have it done.

2. Ah’ll gi’e tha cess when Ah git ho’d on tha.

Cess getherer, n. Rate collector.

Chaff, v. To tease by using playful but provoking language.

Chaff, Chafts, n. The jaw, generally that of a pig.

Chaffer, v. 1. To banter or beat down in a bargain.

2. An interchange of provoking remarks.

Ex.—1. He chaffered that mich, whahl Ah ax’d him if he wanted t’ meer foor nowt?

2. Dolly’s chaffering wi’ Sally agaan.

Chaff-fallen, adj. Dejected.

Challenge, v. To recognize.

Ex.—Ah c’u’d challenge oor bitch among all t’ dogs i’ t’ show. Sha’s good ti challenge onnywheer.

Chamber, Chamer, n. A room above the ground-floor.

Champ, Champion, adj. Excellent, very well.

Chance bairn, n. An illegitimate child.

Chander, n. A chaldron.

Change, v. To turn sour.

Channely, adv. Grandly.

Chanter, n. A chorister.

Chare, adv. Careful, doubtful.

Chass, n. Haste. v. To follow quickly.

Chatt, n. A fir cone.

Chatter, v. To make an uneven surface;

to shake, as machinery running unevenly.

Chaudy-bag, n. The stomach of an animal.

Chaudy-guts, n. A greedy, gluttonous fellow.

Chavel, v. To chew as one without teeth, to gnaw.

Cheean, n. A chain.

Cheeany, The common pronunciation of ‘chinaware.’

Cheeat’ll chow, Lit. ‘Cheating will show itself.’

Ex.—In a dispute boys will say, Let him ’ev anuther goa, cheeat’ll chow.

Cheek by chowl or jowl = Close together.

Ex.—Theer tha gan, cheek by chowl;

Ah doot tha’re up ti neea good.

Cheep, n. The cry of a young bird, generally a chicken, partridge, or grouse.

Cheeper, n. A young partridge or grouse.

Chesfat, n. A press used for extracting the whey from the curds.

Chetch, Chŭch, n. A church.

Chetch or Chuch priest, n. A Church of England clergyman.

Chevin, n. The chub.

Childer, n. Children.

Chimbler, Chim’ly, n. A chimney.

Chip, v. To chip anything; to crack an egg when boiled, or when hatching commences.

Chip up, v. To trip up by holding the foot out in front of any one running past.

Chisel, Chizzel, n. Bran, husks of grain.

Chissel, v. To cheat, to impose upon.

Chist, n. The chest, a chest of drawers.

Chitterlings, n. The small entrails of a pig.

Chitty, adj. Childish.

Chock-full, adv. Full to overflowing.

Ex.—Thoo caan’t git neea mair in, it’s chock-full noo.

Cholter-headed, adj. Thick-headed.

Chop, v. To trade by exchanging.

Chops, n. The jaws. Vide Chaff.

Chow, v. To chew.

Chucky, n. A hen, a term of endearment applied to a child.

Chuff, adj. Healthy-looking, pert, determined.

Chunter, v. To mutter in a complaining tone.

Churlish, Chollus, adj. Bad-tempered.

Churr, v. The murmuring sound made by birds when roosting.

Clack, n. Lit. the tongue, scolding, advice.

Clack, v. To admonish, to talk much.

Clag, v. To stick to or on.

Claggum, n. Any sticky mass, applied generally to sweets.

Claggy, adj. Sticky.

Clam, v. 1. To climb.

2. To squeeze, to nip as a vice.

3. To adhere to, stick to, owing to moisture.

Ex.—1. Ah clam up t’ tree an’ gat t’ nist an’ t’ eggs an’ all.

2. Ah gat mysen clamm’d atween t’ wall an’ t’ wagon.

Clam, Clem, v. To faint for want of food.

Ex.—Ah’s fair clamm’d foor a bit o’ summat ti eat.

Clam, n. Damp, sticky moisture.

Clame, v. To smear with anything sticky.

Ex.—Tha saay what it’s t’ chaange o’ watter what’s deean ’t. That maay be; onny road sha’s a perfect picter noo, covered wi’ watter-blebs an’ larl reead spots ivvery bit ower her; an’ t’ doctor’s clamed her all ower wi’ sum soart o’ clarty, bladdry, muckment stuff, whahl sha kittles that bad ’at sha dizn’t knaw wheear ti put hersel.

Clammy, adj. Parched with thirst, sticky, moist, adhesive.

Clamoursome, adj. Noisy.

Clamper, v. To make a loud noise with the feet when walking or running.

Clampers, n. Feet or claws of any metal object, also the fingers and claws of things animate.

Clap, v. 1. To pat a dog.

2. To sit down, or set anything down.

Ex.—2. Clap yersel i’ that cheer. Clap it doon onnywheear.

Clap back, v. To encore.

Clapt een on, v. To see. Really part., saw.

Clart, v. To smear, to flatter.

Ex.—Ah’ve gitten mysen clarted all ower wi’ t’ bladdry blashment. Noo, then, deeant cum clarting ma up leyke that; gan thi waays an’ clart Mary ower. Whya, he clarted her up whahl he’s fair to’n’d her heead.

Clarty, adj. 1. Sticky.

2. Untrustworthy.

Ex.—2. Deean’t len’ him owt, his nobbut a clarty customer.

Clash, v. To hurry work, to close a door with force, to bring together suddenly.

Clat, Vide Clack.

Clatter, n. A blow, a noise.

Ex.—Ah’ll gi’e tha a good clatter if thoo clatters on leyke that.

Clavver, n. A rowdy rabble.

Clavver, v. To clamber like a child.

Clawt, v. To attack with the nails.

Clear up, v. To become fine after rain.

Cled, adj. Clothed.

Cleean, v. To tidy oneself.

Cleean, adj. and adv. 1. Right.

2. Quite.

3. Well, adroitly, completely.

Ex.—1. He flang t’ steean cleean thruff t’ winner, i.e. ‘He threw the stone right through the window.’

2. Ah cleean foorgat all aboot it, i.e. ‘I quite forgot all about it.’

3. Ah’ve nivver seed a chap sae cleean deean iv all my leyfe, i.e. ‘I never saw a fellow so completely taken in.’

Cleean up, v. To tidy the house.

Cleeas} n. clothes

Clais }

Cleease, adj. Near, close, greedy.

Cleease-fisted, adj. Greedy.

Cleeat, n. A piece of iron or wood used to add strength.

Cleg, n. The horse-fly, a begging friend.

Clem, Vide Clam.

Cletch, n. A brood of young birds.

Cleugh, n. The race of a mill, terminating often at one end by cleugh-gates or gate, or door, which winds up and down by means of a wheel and ratchet, admitting more or less water according to the height it is lifted.

Clever, adj. Well done or made.

Clever-headed, adj. Wise beyond his fellows.

Click, v. To snatch, to snatch quickly.

Click-hooks, n. Three or four hooks joined together and attached to a rope, used to drag ponds or a river with in search of a body, &c.

Clim, v. To climb.

Clinch, v. To grasp tightly with the hand.

Clink, n. A stinging blow.

Clinker, n. A heavy blow.

Clinking, adj. Very good, first-class.

Clip, v. To shear sheep.

Clipping tahm, n. Shearing time.

Cloam, Clooam, Claum, v. To grasp with both hands at the same time, to pull about not only roughly but rudely.

Clock, n. Black clocks, black beetles.

Clock-seves, Bulrush. The names not only vary in different localities, but are given first to one and then another of the water-side flags, rushes, and seves or seaves. Vide Bulls and segs.

Clog, n. A log of wood.

Clogged, adj. Asthmatical (of people), stopped by bleck (q.v.) or other filth (of machinery).

Clooase, Vide Cleease.

Clooased, part. Closed up, as in a cold in the chest.

Clooase-neifed, adj. Niggardly, greedy.

Closing, n. A difficulty in breathing.

Clot, n. A clod of earth, a portion of blood when set.

Clot bur, n. The burdock.

Cloth, To draw the = To remove the white tablecloth on the meal being concluded.

Clotter, v. To make thick or lumpy.

Clout, n. An old piece of cloth, a patch.

Clout, n. A blow.

Clout, v. To strike at.

Clow-clags, n. Dried dung adhering to the hind parts of animals; in the case of sheep they are termed ‘doddings.’

Clow-clash, n. Things all in confusion.

Cloy, v. To eat until sick at the sight of the same dish.

Clubster, n. The stoat.

Cludder, Cluther, v. To huddle together.

Clue, n. A ball of cotton or string.

Clum, adj. Sodden, heavy; generally applied to clayey land.

Clunter, v. To go heavily on the feet.

Cob, n. A small-sized horse, a small bread bun.

Cobble, Cobble-steean, n. A small paving-stone.

Cobble, v. To pelt with stones, to mend anything roughly to serve for the time being.

Cobble-tree, n. The wooden bar which connects the swingle-trees with the beam of the plough.

Cobby, adj. Lively, brisk, stout, decent.

Cōble, n. A fishing-boat.

Cocker, v. To fondle, to indulge.

Ex.—Thoo’ll spoil t’ bairn if thoo cockers it i’ that road.

Cocker, n. Conceit.

Cockerate, v. To boast.

Cookeration }

Cockle-spell } n. Uncertainty.

Cockertraps, n. Traps to catch cockroaches.

Cockle, v. To be unsteady, to curl when drying.

Cockle boat, n. A small pleasure boat.

Cock-leet, n. The dawn of day.

Cockly, adj. Unsteady, insecure, likely to fall over.

Cock o’ t’ middin, n. The one who claims supremacy.

Cock-shot, n. The boy who chances being caught in a certain game.

Cockshut, n. Twilight.

Cock-sure, v. To be quite certain.

Cocky, adj. Self-assertive, domineering.

Cod, n. The cod or pod of peas, beans, &c.

Cod, v. To impose upon, to stuff with nonsense.

Coddle, Couther, v. To indulge oneself, to use unnecessary wraps.

Collar, n. A horse-collar.

Collar, v. To lay hold of.

Collier, n. The swift.

Collop, n. A slice of bacon.

Collop Monday, n. Monday before Shrove Tuesday.

Colly, adj. Curly.

Come111 again, v. To appear after death.

Come by, v. To stand aside.

Come by chance, Vide Chance bairn.

Come fra, v. To come from.

Come on, v. To improve, to grow.

Ex.—Thi cabbishes is cummin’ on champ.

Come round, v. 1. To recover from fainting.

2. To reconsider.

3. To agree with.

Ex.—1. Slap her han’s, an’ sha’ll seean cum roond.

2. Tak neea notish o’ what he sez, i’ t’ end he’ll cum roond an’ foorgi’e ya baith.

3. Whya, Ah’ve cum roond ti thi way o’ thinking.

Come to, Cum teea, v. To regain consciousness.

Ex.—When Ah cam teea, Ah didn’t ken wheear Ah war.

Come-to, n. Place of abode.

Ex.—Maist fooak ’ev a cum-teea o’ sum soart.

Commin’s, n. Barley-sprouts formed during fermentation.

Comp’ny, n. Several people gathered together with one object.

Ex.—Ther war a fairish comp’ny geddered up ti lissen ti t’ new parson.

Con, v. To scan, to observe critically.

Ex.—Efter Ah’d conn’d it ower, Ah thowt varra larl aboot it.

Conceit, Consate, n. Imagined.

Ex.—He consated hissen ’at he knaw’d a lot, bud it wur all blather when he wur oppen’d oot.

Conger, v. Conquer.

Conny, adj. Neat, nice; when applied to things, ‘little.’

Conquerors, n. Horse-chestnuts when dried, or even freshly gathered, are so called when used by boys to play the game of conquerors with. The game consists of threading a chestnut on a string and striking it against a similar one held by an opponent—the one breaking the other, conquers.

Consarn, n. Business, the object or matter seen or discussed.

Ex.—It’s a gert consarn yon, i.e. ‘A big affair or undertaking.’ Ah’ve nowt ti deea wi’ ‘t, it’s neea consarn o’ mahn, ‘No business of mine.’

Consumpted, part. Suffering from phthisis or consumption.

Continny, v. Continue.

Cook thi goose = To completely vanquish.

Cool, Vide Coul.

Coom, n. Dust. Sawcoom, sawdust.

Coo-tie, n. A band, usually made of hair, used to secure the hind legs of a cow.

Cop, v. 1. To be caught.

2. To be punished.

Ex.—1. He’ll cop uz if wa deean’t leeak sharp.

2. Thoo’ll cop it when thoo gans yam.

Corker, adj. Large of its kind. n. A lie.

Ex.—Ah saay, bud that’s a corker.

Corn-creeak, n. Field-crake.

Corr’n-berries, n. The red or white currant.

Cossen, v. 1. To cost.

2. To inconvenience.

Ex.—2. It wadn’t ’a’e cossen him mich, i.e. ‘It would not have inconvenienced him much.’

Cot, n. One who manages his domestic affairs without any female help, an effeminate fellow.

Cott, n. A tangled mass of wool or hair.

Cotten, v. 1. To have a liking for.

2. To discover.

Ex.—1. Ah cotten’d tiv him fra t’ fust.

2. He cottened ti what sha wur efter afoor sha’d ommaist gitten started.

Cotter, v. To work hair or wool into knots. Vide Felter.

Cottered, pp. Entangled, knotted.

Coul, Cool, n. A weal or swelling caused by a blow.

Counting, n. Arithmetic.

Coup, v. To exchange in barter, to empty a cart by tilting.

Coup ower, v. To fall over.

Couther, Vide Coddle.

Cout, n. A colt.

Cow- or Coo-byre, n. A cow-house.

Cow- or Coo-clags, n. Dung adhering to the buttocks of cattle.

Cow- or Coo-footed, adj. Awkward in gait.

Cow- or Coo-gate, Coo-yat, Cow pastur, n. Cow pasture.

Cow- or Coo-grip, n. The channel to carry off the urine.

Cow- or Coo-leech, n. A cow-doctor.

Cowdy, adj. Lively, pert, active.

Cower, v. To crouch in fear.

Cowl, v. To scrape together towards one.

Cowler, n. A scraper.

Cowl-rake, n. A small scraper used to rake ashes together.

‘Coz, Vide Acoz.

Crab, v. To vex.

Crabbed, adj. Peevish, in a bad temper.

Crack, n. A loud noise like thunder.

Crack, v. 1. To boast.

2. To praise.

Ex.—1. He crack’d a deeal aboot it.

2. Ah crack’d it up fur tha. He cracks a seet ti mich ov his awn deeds.

Crack, n. and v. A chat, to chat. Vide Rap.

Crack, n. A short space of time, immediately.

Ex.—Ah s’all be deean iv a crack.

Crack’d and Cracky, adj. Not quite compos mentis.

Crafty, adj. Skilful, original.

Crake, Creeak, Cruke, n. A carrion crow.

Crake, Vide Corn-creeak.

Crake, v. To speak hoarsely.

Cramm’l, v. To walk haltingly, tottery.

Cramm’ls, n. The gnarled and twisted boughs of trees.

Cramped, part. Perplexed.

Cramper, n. Any matter difficult of settlement or solution.

Ex.—Noo, that’s a cramper fur tha.

Cramp-ring, n. A charm-ring made from coffin tire, and worn as a preventive against cramp, &c.

Cramps, n. The term given to the playing of either the octave or the scales.

Cranch, v. To grind the teeth together when eating.

Cranky, adj. Idiotic, able to move with difficulty through stiffness, likely to overbalance, insecure.

Cranky, n. A checked material, usually of blue and white checks, used for aprons. Often called ‘Kinky-cranky.’

Craps or Crappin’s, n. The pieces left after rendering fat into lard.

Crashes, Creeases, n. Watercress.

Craw, v. To crow. n. A crow.

Crazed, pp. In a violent passion.

Creckits, n. The game of cricket.

Cree, v. To soak grain in water.

Creeak, Vide Crook and Cruke.

Creel, n. The wooden frame pigs are laid upon after slaughtering.

Creepin’s, n. A shivering sensation usually foretelling a cold.

Cricket, n. A small four-legged stool.

Crook, Creeak, Crewk, n. The hinge upon which a gate swings, a bent piece of iron to hang anything upon.

Crook, Crewk, n. An abrupt corner in a field.

Crooked, adj. Bent.

Crowberries, n. The crowberry fruit (Empetrum nigrum).

Crowdy, n. Oatmeal porridge.

Crow-ling, n. The heath (Erica cinerea).

Crown, n. Top of the head.

Crowp, v. To croak like a toad.

Crowse, adj. Lively. n. A drinking bout.

Cruddle, v. To curdle.

Cruds, n. Curds.

Cruke, Crewk, Creeak, n. The rook. Vide Reeak.

Crunkle, Crinkle, v. To crease, rumple.

Crush, n. A great crowd.

Cuddle, v. To fondle by embracing.

Cuddy, n. A donkey, a hedge-sparrow.

Culler’d, pp. Blushed.

Cum, n. Sweepings of sawdust.

Cum, v. Come.

Cumber-ground, n. Any thing or person of no value.

Cumly, Vide Comely.

Cummer, v. To encumber.

Cummersome, adj. Burdensome.

Cungle, v. To influence by charms or prayers.

Cup-rose, n. The common poppy.

Cushat, n. Ring-dove.

Cush-pet, n. Pet name for a crow; also Cushy-Cushy.

Cut, v. Be off.

Cut and run } v. To retire hurriedly.

Cut wer sticks }

Cutter, v. To whisper.

Cuvvins, n. Periwinkles.

Cuz, n. Cousin.

D.

‘D, Would, had.

Daam, Deeam, n. A lady, the wife, an aged person.

Dab, adj. Dexterous, skilful, n. A blow.

Ex.—He’s a dab hand at t’ job, i.e. He is skilful at the business. Catch him a dab on t’ feeace.

’Dacity, n. 1. Ability to accomplish.

2. Presumption, impudence.

Ex.—1. He’s gitten ’dacity fur owt, ’ez that lad.

2. Ah didn’t aim ’at he ’ed t’ ‘dacity ti ’a’e spokken ti t’ parson i’ that waay, hooivver.

Daddle, v. To walk unsteadily, to trifle.

Daff, n. A coward, a fool.

Daffle, v. To confuse, to bewilder with noise.

Daffly daffled, pp. Bewildered.

Daffy-down-dilly, n. The daffodil.

Daft, adj. Foolish, lacking common sense.

Daftish, adj. Foolish, like a fool.

Dagg, Deggle, v. To sprinkle with water.

Dainish, Densh, adj. Over particular.

Daized, pp. Stupefied, suffering from the effect of cold.

Dakky, n. A pig.

Dale, n. A valley varying in extent. ‘Dale’ is usually pronounced ‘deeal’.

Dale-end, n. The end or widest part of a dale.

Dale-heead, n. The upper and narrowest portion of a dale.

Dander, n. Rage, temper.

Dander, v. To tremble, to vibrate.

Danger, n. Risk, probability, doubt.

Ex.—1. He’s lost hauf on ’em, an’ ther’s a danger ’at other hauf ’ll dee an’ all.

Dangerous, adj. Doubtful, risky.

Ex.—It’s nobbut a dangerous consarn ti sink yan’s brass in.

Dangle efter, v. To follow as a lover.

Danglements, n. Superfluous trinkets, trimmings of beads, &c.

Dank, adj. Damp, moist.

Dapper, adj. Sharp, active, nimble.

Dappers, n. Birds ready to leave the nest.

Dark, v. To follow or move slily about, to listen unperceived.

Darkening, n. Twilight.

Darrn’t, v. Dare not.

Darr, v. To dare.

Ex.—Ah darr tackle yon job. To tell any one they dare not do a certain thing, is to dare them to it, e.g. He darrn’t jump whahl Ah darr’d him ti ’t, an’ then he went that cauf-hearted at it, whahl he tumm’ld blob in.

Dased, Deeased. Vide Daized.

Datherin’. Vide Ditherin’.

Daul’d, pp. Tired, weary.

Ex.—Ah daul’d on ’t, i.e. ‘I tired of it.’

Daul’d oot, part. Tired out.

Daupee, n. The grey-headed crow.

Daytal, adj. By the day.

Daytalman, n. A farm labourer hired by the day.

Deaf, Deeaf, adj. Lacking a kernel, barren.

Deaf or Deeaf nettle, n. The blind or hemp nettle.

Deary, adj. Puny, lovable.

Ex.—Sha’s a deary larl honey.

Deave, Deeave, adj. Deaf.

Deaven, v. To deafen.

Decoy-duck, n. A by-name given to one who leads others astray.

Dee, v. To die.

Deea, v. 1. Do.

2. To swindle.

Ex.—2. He’ll deea him if he dizn’t watch him, i.e. ‘He will swindle him if he does not take care.’

Deead, adj. Dead.

Deeafly, Deavely, adj. Alone, by oneself.

Deeak, n. Duke.

Deean, pp. of Do. Also swindled overmatched.

Ex.—Ah’ve deean him neycely, i.e. ‘I have taken him in nicely.’

Deean’t, Doan’t, v. Do not.

Deear, Doour, n. Door.

Deearstan, n. Vide Doorstan.

Deearsteead, n. The framework of the door; also Doourstead, &c.

Deeatchess, n. Duchess.

Deeath, n. Death.

Deeath-smear }

Deeath-clam } n. The clammy sweat of death.

Deeath-sweeat }

Deeazment, n. Chilled to the bone.

Deed, n. Doings, applied indiscriminately to events of a joyous or sorrowful nature.

Ex.—Ther war straange deed at Willie’s wedding. Ah nivver seed sike deed ez ther war at Ann’s funeral.

Deedless, adj. Useless, helpless.

Deggle, Vide Dagg.

Deft, adj. Quick, clever, neat.

Delf-rack, n. An arrangement of wooden bars to hold plates and dishes.

Dempt, pp. Deemed, thought.

Deng, v. To knock off with violence, to throw down, to wrench off.

Densh, Vide Dainish.

Deny, v. To refuse.

Ex.—Ah’ll see Tommy mysel, he’ll nut deny me. Ah weean’t deny tha fishing, hooivver.

Despert, adv. Exceedingly, used as an augmentative.

Ex.—Ther war despert grand deed at ’t Squire’s dinner.

Dess, n. A mass built up by degrees; a block cut out, as a dess of hay.

Dessably, adj. Orderly.

Devil-screamer, n. The swift.

Dhriss, Vide Dress.

Dib, v. To dip.

Dibbing, v. To dip, as with a fly on the top of the water.

Dice, n. A small portion, as a dice of cheese; a square piece of anything.

Dicky, adj. Doubtful.

Ex.—It nobbut leeaks a bit dicky.

Dicky, n. A louse.

Dicky-ass, n. A donkey.

Didder, Vide Dither.

Differ, v. To quarrel.

Differing bout, n. A wordy quarrel.

Dike, n. A ditch.

Dike-back, n. The bank forming one side of a ditch.

Dike-cam, n. The bank-side of a ditch.

Dildering, Dilder, v. To shake, unstable, silly.

Dill, v. To lessen, to deaden.

Ex.—Clap a plaaster on, it’ll dill ’t paain.

Dilldam, Dilldum, or Dilldrum, n. A loud noise, boisterous merry-making.

Dindle, v. To have a tingling sensation after a fall or blow.

Ding, Vide Deng.

Dingle, v. To tingle after a blow.

Dint, n. Energy, force, power.

Ex.—By dint an’ sticking ti ’t, he’ll mannish ’t.

Dither, v. To shiver, to shake with fear.

Doan’t, Deean’t, = Do not.

Docken, n. The dock plant. Also denotes of little value.

Ex.—Ah wadn’t ’a’e gi’en a docken for ’t.

Dodded, adj. Hornless.

Dodderums, n. Shaking violently, unnerved.

Doddery, Dothery, adj. Vide Dither.

Doddings, n. Matted wool on the hind quarters of sheep.

Doff, v. 1. To remove the garments.

2. To raise the hat.

Ex.—1. Ah’ll doff mah duds iv a crack.

2. Ah doff’d mah cap tiv her.

Dog, v. To set a dog to drive sheep.

Dog, n. A piece of iron fitted within the fire-grate, thereby reducing its size, so as to save coal.

Dog-choops, n. Hips, the fruit of the dog-rose.

Doggers, n. Nodules containing a fossil, and used in the making of Roman cement.

Dog-jumps, Vide Dog-choops.

Dog one’s footsteps, To, v. To persistently follow any one.

Doit, n. A small portion.

Dole, n. The distribution of money left to some charity, or that given at a funeral.

Dole out, v. To give in small quantities.

Dollop, n. A clumsy person or badly-formed thing, a number or quantity of persons or things.

Dolly-stick, n. A handle to which is affixed an arrangement like a small four-legged stool, being used to give a half-circular motion to the clothes in the tub, which is termed dollying.

Dolly-tub, n. A round tub used to wash clothes in.

Don, v. and adj. 1. To put on one’s better attire.

2. Clever.

Ex.—1. Ah’ll don mysel up a bit, ez Janey’s cumin’ ti tea.

2. He’s a don hand at deeaing owt o’ that sooart.

Donk, Vide Dank.

Donnot, n. An immoral female.

Doody-cow, n. The ladybird beetle.

Door, Deear, Doour-cheek, n. Sidepost of a door.

” ” ” sill, n. The threshold of the door.

” ” ” stan, n. The flagstone in front of the doorway, often mistaken as meaning the doorstep.

Door, Doour, Deear, To get to the = Able to walk abroad.

Doory, adv. Very little, a trifle.

Dordum, n. A dreadful uproar.

Dorse, Duzz, v. To shake out from the ear by reason of over-ripeness.

Dossel, n. A bunch of wheat, the finest ears being selected to be used as an ornament; formerly such bunches were fixed on the top of corn-pikes.

Dossel-knob, n. The straw knob at the top of a stick which terminates the thatch.

Dothering-grass, Vide Trimm’ling-gess.

Dotteril, n. A dotard.

Douk, v. To duck under, to dive as a water-fowl.

Doup, Vide Daupee.

Dou’t, Doot, v. Almost certain.

Ex.—Ah doot he’s laam’d fur leyfe. Ah doot wa saan’t git it.

Dow, v. To thrive.

Dowdy, n. An untidy woman.

Dowled, adj. Flat, said of long-drawn beer.

Dowly, adj. Sad, poorly, downhearted.

Down, v. To knock or throw down.

Ex.—Ah’ve doon’d tha yance, an’ if Ah ’ev onny mair o’ thi lip, Ah’ll doon tha ageean.

Down-come, n. A spout at the side of the house, a heavy downpour of rain.

Down-dinner = Afternoon allowance.

Dowse, n. A blow from the fist.

Ex.—Ah’ll catch tha a dowse on t’ sahd o’ t’ heead.

Dowse, v. To wet to the skin.

Ex.—He dowsed t’ lot on uz wi’ t’ hose. Ah gat sike a dowsing, said one who fell into a stream.

Dozzen’d, adj. Withered, blighted.

Drab, n. A dirty slut.

Drabbletail, Vide Flappy-sket.

Draff, n. Refuse from a brewery for pigs, grains.

Draker-hen, n. Corn-crake.

Drape, Dreeap, n. A cow not giving milk.

Drate, v. To drag one’s speech, to drawl.

Draught, n. A team of horses, not less than three.

Draw up, v. To gather together.

Ex.—Thoo mun ring t’ bell an’ call oot, an’ they’ll seean draw up.

Drazzle, n. A shower of fine rain and mist.

Dree, adj. Tiring, weary.

Ex.—It’s nobbut a dree job this.

Dree, adv. Slowly.

Dree, v.a. To deliver tediously.

Dreeap, Vide Drape.

Dreep, v. Drop by drop.

Dress, Dhriss, v. 1. To tidy up.

2. To correct, to punish.

Ex.—1. Ah s’all ’a’e ti dhriss things up a bit afoor sha cums.

2. Thoo impident young raggel, thi fatther owt ti dhriss thi jacket weel foor tha, i.e. ‘Your father ought to chastise you.’

Dressin’, Dhrissin’, part. and n. 1. Preparing.

2. Chastisement, severe scolding. The use of this word is peculiar.

Ex.—1. Things ’ll want dhrissing up a bit afoor Ah start ti wark, signifies that a certain amount of work not actually connected with the ’thing’ itself must be done or prepared beforehand, such as tidying up the bench, or rough planing before marking out. He nivver gits neea fother ’an dhrissing things afoor he starts o’ summat else.

2. He’ll nut foorgit ma, Ah nivver gav onnybody sike a dhrissing afoor.

Dribblet, n. A small quantity at a time.

Ex.— He’ll pay ma back, Ah’ve neea doot, bud Ah s’all ’a’e ti tak ’t noos an’ agaains i’ dribblets.

Drinch, n. An aperient drink for a cow.

Drinching, part. To be drenched.

Drinkin’ tahm, n. The usual extra allowance during hay or harvest time.

Drippling, adj. Weak, small.

Ex.—Sha’s nobbut a drippling bairn.

Drive, Dhrive, v. To procrastinate.

Ex.—Thoo dhrives ivverything whahl t’ last bat, an’ then thoo nivver gits nowt deean.

Droll on, v. To half promise, to lead one to believe.

Ex.—Ah nobbut drolls him on a bit, Ah saan’t tell him nowt ’at’s owt.

Drolly, n. Vide Capster.

Droothy, Drouthy, adj. Suffering from excessive thirst.

Drooty, adj. Very dry, a long continuance of fine dry weather.

Drop, v. 1. To lose.

2. To fell with a blow.

3. To kill a bird on the wing.

Ex.—1. He’d drop a canny bit ower that last bargain.

2. He up wi’ his neeaf an’ dropped him leyke an ox.

3. He fired in amang ’em an’ dropped three.

Drop-dry, adj. Water-tight, as of a roof.

Drop in, v. To pay a casual visit.

Drop it or that, v. To cease doing.

Ex.—Noo drop it, i.e. ‘Discontinue the act.’ Drop that racket, i.e. ‘Cease that noise.’

Drop on, v. 1. To surprise.

2. To discover.

Ex.—1. Ah nivver wur seea dropped on afoor, i.e. ‘Never so surprised,’ or ‘suddenly caught in the act.’

2. Ah dropped on it all at yance, i.e. ‘I discovered it all at once.’ It also implies a sense of shame, e.g. Ah did feel dropped on when he catched ma.

Droppy, adj. Applied to rain long continued.

Ex.—It’s nobbut a droppy tahm.

Drubbin’, n. A thrashing.

Dub, n. A large pond.

Dubbin’, v. and n. 1. To lower one’s dignity.

2. A thrashing.

Ex.—1. He’s ti clivver by hauf is yon youth, he wants dubbin’ a bit.

2. Ah’ll gi’e tha sike a dubbin’ ez thoo ’ezn’t ’ed ov a piece, if thoo dizn’t mahnd thisel. ‘Dubbing’ originally meant cutting the comb and wattle of a gamecock.

Duck, v. To drop the head so as to evade a missile.

Ducks and drakes, v. A stone thrown so as to skim with short leaps along the water.

Duds, n. Clothes, usually applied to old garments.

Dulbert, n. A stupid fellow. Also Dullard.

Dump, Vide Dub.

Dunderheead, Dunderknowle, n. A blockhead.

Dundy-cow or Dowdy-cow, n. The ladybird.

Dwine, v. To pine away, to fade.

Dwinn’l, v. To decrease.

Dwiny, n. and adj. Fading, small.

Dwiny-voiced, adj. Weak-voiced.

Dwizzend, adj. Thin, wrinkled, shrunk.

E.

Ĕ, per. pron. I. The short sound of ‘Ah,’ as Mun ĕ cum? i.e. ‘Must I come?’ Although rarely used by writers, it must be admitted, when speaking the dialect, it is as commonly used as ‘Ah.’

Eak, n. The oak.

Earan, n. An errand.

Earnest, n. A sum of money paid to bind a bargain.

Earning, Vide Yearning.

Ease, v. To spatter with mud, to accede to the demands of nature, to obtain ease from pain.

Easement, n. Alleviation from pain, the remedy applied.

Easings, n. The eaves.

Easter-shells, n. The periwinkle.

E’e, n. The eye, that part of a potato from which the sprout leads.

Een, n. The eyes.

Een, n. 1. The evening, as ‘yester een.’

2. The eve of any fast-day, as ‘All Hallows’ Een.’

Een-holes, n. The eye sockets.

Efter, Efther, prep. After. ‘Efther’ becomes general as we approach the East Riding.

Efterneean, n. Afternoon.

Egg on, v. To incite, to urge.

Ex.—It wer yowr Tom ’at egg’d him on ti kiss ma. Ah nivver s’u’d ’a’e set mysel ti loup t’ beck if he hedn’t egg’d ma on and darr’d ma tiv it.

Eldin, n. Firewood of any kind.

Eller, n. The alder-tree.

Elsin, Alsin, n. A shoemaker’s awl.

‘Em, pro. Them.

End-board, n. The tail-board of a cart.

Endeavouring, adj. Striving, industrious.

Ex.—Sha’s a fendy endivering lahtle body. He’s a varra endivering young chap, an’ he’ll mak a man ov hissel.

End, Girt, Vide Gret end.

End na sahd, 1. Nothing.

2. Not understandable.

Ex.—1. Ther’s nowther end na sahd tiv owt ’at he diz, i.e. ‘Neither beginning nor end,’ nothing.

2. Ah c’u’d nowder mak end na sahd ov owt ’at t’ chap war raffling on aboot.

End, Reet upon, adv. Upright.

Ex.—Let’s git it reet upon end fust, an’ then wa s’all mannish.

Enoo, Enew, n. 1. Enough in number.

2. Sufficiently cooked.

Ex.—1. Thoo wants neea mair, thoo’s gitten mair ’an enew ez it is.

2. It owt ti be enew by this, it’s been i’ t’ yewn ower an hoor.

Enow, Vide Inoo.

Entry, n. The passage within the house, or small entrance hall.

Ept, adj. Handy.

Esh, n. The ash-tree.

Ewse, n. Use.

Expect, v. 1. To imagine, to suppose.

2. Not quite certain.

Ex.—1. Ah expect it war him ’at did it.

2. Yan nivver can saay, bud Ah expect sha’ll win t’ prize. Sha’s neea waays sure, sha nobbut expects seea.

Extremity, To be in an = To be at the far end.

Ex.—Ah war in an extremity a’ paain. Nowt c’u’d ’a’e been warse, sha war in a complete extremity.

Ez, as. ‘Ez, has.

F.

Fadge, v. Between a walk and a trot.

Ex.—T’ au’d meer an’ me, wa’ve fadged along monny a mahl tigither.

Fadgy, adj. Fat, unwieldy.

Ex.—Buxom at twenty, fadgy at fo’tty.

Faff, v. To blow in puffs.

Faffle, n. A light intermittent wind.

Faffle, v. To flap gently, as a ship’s sail.

Fahve o’ clocks, n. Ripe seed-heads of the dandelion, which children blow at to ascertain the time.

Fail, v. To show signs of growing weakness day by day.

Fain, adv. Gladly.

Fair, adv. Altogether, absolutely.

Ex.—Ah’s fair bet wi’ t’ lad. Ah nivver war sae fairly takken in wiv a lass ez Ah ’a’e been wi’ Tom’s weyfe.

Fairish, adj. Just moderate.

Fairlings, adv. Clearly, distinctly.

Ex.—Naay! he fairlings gat t’ best a’ thah that tahm.

Fair to see, Easy to see or understand.

Fair up, Vide Clear up.

Fairy butter, n. A yellow fungus found growing on dead wood.

Fairings, n. Presents bought at a fair.

Fall, v. 1. To happen.

2. To become finely divided, as lime when slaked.

Ex.—1. Whya, it mebbe mud fall i’ that road, i.e. ‘Why, it maybe might happen in that way.’

Fallen away, v. To have decreased in bulk, to grow thin.

Ex.—Whya, it’s fallen awaay ti nowt.

Fall in, v. To meet accidentally.

Ex.—Oor Martie war pleased ti fall in wi’ John an’ Annie at Bedale.

Fall out, v. To quarrel, to have a misunderstanding.

Ex.—Tha’re nut kind noo, tha fell owt ower Tommy’s pig. Ah nivver knew sike nibors ez them tweea, tha’re awlus quarting an’ fratching, an’ falling oot t’ ane wi’ t’ uther.

Fall teea, v. To commence.

Ex.—Noo all t’ lot on ya fall teea an’ set ti wark.

Fan, Fand, Fun, Fund, part. and pp. of ‘to find.’

Fangle, v. To seize, to entrap.

Fangled, pp. Caught.

Fantickle, n. A freckle.

Far, adj. Further, more distant than.

Ex.—Ah ligg’d it doon i’ t’ far sahd o’ yon field.

Far an’ awaay, adv. Much, decidedly.

Ex.—Sha’s far an’ awaay t’ best-leeaking lass aboot here; often Far awaay.

Farantly, adj. Decent, well behaved; neat, nice, orderly.

Fardel, n. A small bundle.

Farden, n. Farthing.

Fare, v. 1. To approach, to draw nigh to.

2. To seem.

3. To succeed.

4. To conduct oneself, to behave.

Ex.—1. Sha fares o’ cauvin’.

2. Yon lass fares dafter na Sally Ridge.

3. Thoo’s gahin’ ti fare t’ warst wi’ t’ cauves, Ah think; thoo mun git sum keeak intiv ’em.

4. He fares foor gitting t’ sack.

Far end, The close of anything, almost in extremis.

Ex.—Tell her Ah’ll cum when Ah’ve deean; Ah saan’t be lang; Ah’ve ommaist gitten ti t’ far end. Ah’ve just left him; Ah deean’t aim ’at he’ll see t’ neet throw, he’s ommaist at t’ far end noo.

Far-fetched, adj. Unlikely, improbable.

Farness, n. Distance.

Ex.—T’ farness on ’t taks all t’ profit awaay, gahin’ an’ cumin’.

Farrish, Fairish on, adj. Considerably advanced.

Ex.—He mun be gitting fairish on i’ years noo. He gat farrish on at t’ dinner, did Tommy, afoor he gat to’n’d ti t’ doour.

Far-side, n. The further side, the right-hand or off side; the Nar-side being the left-hand.

Fash, v. 1. To worry.

2. To inconvenience oneself.

Ex.—1. Just thee tak thi awn gate, an’ deean’t fash thisen aboot nowt.

2. Ah wadn’t fash mysel a larl bit fur owther him or her.

Fast, adj. 1. At a standstill.

2. In a fix.

Ex.—1. Ah caan’t deea nowt, Ah’s fast foor a sup o’ wet.

2. Ah think ’at Ah nivver war sae fast iv all my wick.

Fasten or Fass’n oot, v. Said of sheep when turned from the grass on to the moor for the season.

Father, v. 1. To impute.

2. To bear witness of itself, as an illegitimate child.

Ex.—1. He’s awlus tryin’ ti father his misdeeds o’ sumbody. Ah wadn’t let him father his lees o’ me.

2. Ther’s neea call ti mak t’ poor lass gan afoor her betters, t’ bairn sha hugs fathers itsel.

Fatrascal, n. A cake made with butter, flour, and currants; a rich kind of small tea-cake.

Faugh, Fauf, n. Fallow land.

Fause, adj. False.

Fayther, Fadder, n. Father.

Fear’d, To be, v. To be apprehensive of, to be afraid.

Ex.—It’s to be fear’d t’ warst’ll happen.

Fearful, adv. Exceedingly, used as an augmentative.

Fearsome, adj. Awful, terrifying.

Feather-fallen, adj. Crestfallen.

Feather-fowl, n. Birds.

Featly, adv. Dexterously.

Ex.—Noo, he lapp’d that job up weel. Aye, it war varra featly deean.

Feck, n. Ability, quantity, mass.

Feckless, adj. Lacking management, wanting ability to provide for oneself.

Ex.—Sha’s a feckless miss, is yon; sha’s up ti nowt, good ti nowt, an’ warse ’an nowt.

Feeal, n. A fool.

Fegs, n. Dead grass-stems, anything of small value.

Fele, Felt, v. To hide.

Fell, v. To knock down.

Fell, n. An undressed hide or skin, a moorland summit, a hill.

Fell, adj. Keen, striving.

Fell’d, v. To be prostrate, knocked down.

Felon bone, n. An abscess on the finger or some other part of the hand, from which, during suppuration, small pieces of rotted bone are ejected.

Felon o’ t’ yuer, A disease the cow’s udder is liable to.

Fellow-fond, adj. Wild after the men. A girl is said to be ‘fellow-fond’ when her arts and guiles to gain a lover are too plainly manifest.

Felt, Vide Fele.

Felter, n. One who hides things.

Felter, v. To entangle, to twist, to clot. Note.—Cotter is much more commonly used now.

Feltrics, n. A disorder horses are liable to.

Femmer, adj. Slight, light, weak.

Fend, v. To provide, to be able to do.

Fendable, Fendy, adj. Capable of doing.

Fengle, Vide Fangle.

Fent, n. A vent or slit in a garment.

Fent, v. To bind the edge of anything.

Fer, Foor, Fur, prep. For.

Fest, v. To bind an apprentice.

Fet, v. To last out, serve round, to serve.

Ex.—It’ll fet uz ower Sunday. It’ll fet t’ lot on uz if Tom carves.

Fetch, n. A stitch or catch in the side, difficulty in breathing.

Fetch, v. To give, to bring.

Ex.—Ah’ll fetch tha yan ower t’ feeace. Ah’ll fetch tha ’t when Ah cum fra t’ market. Fetch t’ barrer ower here, i.e. ‘Bring the barrow over here.’

Fettle, v. 1. To repair.

2. To put in order.

3. To be in good order.

Ex.—1. Thoo mun fettle t’ au’d cart up a larl piece, i.e. ‘You must repair the old cart a little,’

2. Ah’ll fettle things up a bit afoor ya cum back, i.e. ‘I will put things in order by the time you return,’

3. T’ machine’s i’ grand fettle.

Few, n. Amount, generally used with some qualifying adjective, as ‘a good few,’ ‘a larl few,’ ‘a gay few.’

Fick, v. To struggle under restraint.

Fik, v. 1. To strive.

2. To obtain.

Ex.—1. He fick’d on whahl he gat it.

2. He fick’d it i’ t’ end.

Find heart, To, v. To make up one’s mind.

Ex.—Sha’s blinnd, bud Ah can’t finnd heart ti put t’ poor au’d critter oot o’ t’ road.

Finnick, v. To be over-particular in doing things.

Fire-flaught, n. and adj. A lighted coal which leaps from the fire, a meteor; passionate.

Fire-smatch, Vide Stithe.

Fire-steead, n. Fireplace.

First-foot, Vide Lucky bird.

Fisk, v. To dance about.

Fit, adj. 1. Equal to.

2. Ready.

3. Inclined.

Ex.—1. Ah’s fit foor that job, hooivver.

2. T’ meer’s fit onny tahm.

3. Ah’s ommaist fit ti gan.

Fizzle, v. To fidget.

Flabbergasher, n. A poser. Vide Cramper.

Flacker, v. 1. To flutter.

2. To flicker.

3. To waver.

Ex.—1. T’ au’d bo’d flackered ower t’ hedge.

2. T’ cann’l flackered whahl Ah thowt it ’ud gan oot.

3. Ther’s neea dependence on him, he flackers aboot sae.

Flag, n. A snow-flake.

Flags, n. The yellow iris.

Flam, v. To flatter, to make believe.

Flappers, n. Young birds nearly ready to fly.

Flappy, adj. Unstable.

Flappy-sket, n. and adj. An immoral woman; untidy.

Flappy-tongue, n. One whose word cannot be relied upon.

Flatch, n. A flatterer, also used as a verb.

Flather, Vide Blether.

Flaum, v. 1. To blaze, to burst out in flame.

2. To demonstrate great affection so as to gain some advantage.

Ex.—1. It flaum’d up leyke all that, bud then it war ez dry ez a kex.

2. Sha flaum’d aboot ma that mich, whahl i’ t’ end Ah ’ed ti gi’e waay an’ let ’em git wed.

Flaumy, adj. Common, tawdry, n. Fulsome caresses.

Flaun, n. A custard tart.

Flaup, Flauping, n. Flaupy, Flaupish, adj. Senseless talk.

Flawter, Flowter, v. To unnerve, to flurry.

Ex.—Ah war sairly flowtered when Ah heeard o’ Jimmy’s deeath.

Flay, v. To frighten. Also Fley.

Flay-boggle, n. A ghost.

Flay-craw, -creeak, or -cruke, n. A scarecrow.

Flaysome, adj. Causing fear.

Flee, n. A fly.

Ex.—Ah deean’t meean fleas ’at’s fleas, bud flees ’at flee, i.e. ‘I do not mean fleas that are fleas, but flies that fly.’

Fleead, n. A flood.

Fleead, v. To flood.

Ex.—Ah’s gahin’ ti let t’ dam off an’ fleead t’ boddums.

Fleear, n. A floor.

Fleece, n. Obesity.

Ex.—Wait whahl he gans throw all ’at Ah’ve gane throw, an’ he weean’t hug sike a fleece.

Fleece, v. To take all that a man has.

Ex.—Oh, sha’s a rank bad un; tha saay ’at sha’s fleeced him ov ivvery haupenny he ’ed.

Fleeing-aither or -ask, n. The dragon-fly.

Fleer, v. To laugh at, to ridicule.

Flesh-fly, n. The common bluebottle.

Flesh-meat, n. Butcher’s meat, not pork.

Flick, n. A flitch of bacon.

Flick, v. To remove any light dust or thing with a rapid motion, as with a duster or whip-lash.

Flicker, v. and n. To exist for an instant, as a smile; the action of a dying flame.

Flig, v. To fly.

Fligged, part. Having left the nest.

Fliggers, Vide Flappers.

Flipe, n. The brim of a hat.

Flipe, v. To remove dust by any quick, light motion, as with a handkerchief. Vide Flick.

Flisk, n. A light tap.

Ex.—Sha nobbut flisk’d him wi’ her larl finger.

Flit, v. To remove to another house.

Flite, Fleeght, v. 1. To scold with many words.

2. To quarrel.

Ex.—1. Sha nivver lets ma be, sha’s awlus fliting at ma.

2. Tha’re fliting t’ ane agaain t’ ither that mich whahl Ah’ve cum’d awaay.

Flither, n. The common limpet.

Flittermouse, n. The common bat.

Flitting, v. The act of removing.

Flity, adj. Unstable.

Ex.—Ah wadn’t trust her, nowder yah waay ner anuther, sha’s sike a flity body.

Flobbed up, part. Swollen.

Flop, v. To sit down with a sudden drop, to set things down of a sudden and carelessly.

Floss-docken, Fox-docken, n. The foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

Floss-seave, n. Cotton-grass.

Flowtered, part. Upset, nervous.

Flowterment, n. Excitement in speech and behaviour.

Flowtersome, adj. Excitable, tomboyish.

Fluff’d, Fluff’d up, adj. Conceited.

Fluffy, adj. Covered with down, light, feathery.

Fluke, Fleeak, Fleuks, n. A small maggot found in the liver of sheep.

Fluky, Fleeaky, Fleuky, adj. Maggot-eaten, fly-blown.

Flushy-feeaced, adj. Red complexioned.

Fluster, Flusterment, n. A state of being heated by excitement, agitation.

Ex.—What a flusterment that bairn ’ez putt en uz all inteea! wa thowt ’at he’d gitten hissel lost.

Fly, To let, v. To strike with force.

Foal’s-foot, n. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).

Fod, n. A small bundle of straw.

Fodder-hoos, n. A barn for storing fodder.

Fog, n. The grass which grows after the hay has been removed.

Fog-field, n. A field left for the second growth of grass to spring up after haytime.

Foisty, adj. Musty, damp, mouldy.

Fold- or Fod-garth, Fod-yard, n. The farmyard where the beasts are fed.

Folk, Fau’k, Fooak, n. The people, often used with and generally qualified by a prefix, as T’ au’d folk, T’ young fooak, Chetch-fau’k, Chapel-fau’k.

Fond, adj. Silly.

Fond-head, n. A silly fellow.

Fondness, n. Nonsense.

Fondy, n. A simpleton.

Foor, Fur, Fer, prep. For.

Foorced, part. Compelled.

Ex.—Ther’s neea waay o’ gittin oot on ’t, Ah s’ be foorced ti gan. He’ll foorce tha ti deea ’t.

Foot, The length of my = A kick.

Ex.—If thoo isn’t off iv a quickstick, Ah’ll gi’e tha t’ len’th o’ mah foot.

Foot, To get or take the length of one’s = 1. To judge a person accurately.

2. To have completely won another’s confidence.

Ex.—1. He’ll nut best ma, weean’t yon; Ah teeak t’ len’th o’ his foot lang sin.

2. Sha lets him deea just what he leykes wiv her brass; he’s gitten t’ len’th ov her foot, an’ ther’s nowt aboot that.

Footing, n. Money claimed from a new apprentice on commencing his apprenticeship, commonly called paying his footing; the sum paid is always spent in drink.

Footings, n. The lowest foundations.

For, Fur = In what direction.

Ex.—Noo, then, wheear’s thoo for? Ah’s for Ayton, is thoo for Stowsla?

Fore, prep. Before. Afoor is much more general.

Fore-elders, n. Forefathers.

Fore-end, Forr-end, n. 1. The beginning of a season or time.

2. The springtime.

Ex.—1. At t’ forr-end he war ez reet ez a trivet, bud he maad a varra poor finish on ’t.

2. If t’ back-end be owt leyke t’ forr-end wa s’all mannish grandly.

Forking-robin, n. The earwig.

Forks, A pair o’, n. The centre timber of a roof.

For-wandered, adj. Bewildered.

Fo’st, Fust, adj. First.

Fo’ther, adv. Further.

Foul-fingered, adj. Given to stealing.

Foul-lipped }

Foul-mouthed } adj. Given to swearing or lewd talk.

Foulmart, Fumart, n. The polecat.

Foupe, v. To drive sheep, &c., too quickly.

Ex.—Thoo’ll ’a’e sum o’ them sheep deead beeat if thoo foupes ’em i’ that road.

Fou’t, n. A fault.

Fou’ty, adj. Badly made, ill fitting.

Fowt, part. Fought.

Fowt, Fout, n. An idiot, a spoiled child.

Foxy, adj. Cunning.

Fra, Frav, Frev, prep. From ‘Fra’, is used before a consonant, ‘frav’ and ‘frev’ before a vowel.

Fraby, Frebby, prep. 1. Beyond.

2. Compared with. Still common in parts of Cleveland.

Ex.—1. ‘T’ll be fraby ten mahl ti Yarm.

2. Thahn frebby mahn’s t’ best o’ t’ tweea on ’em.

Framation, n. Dexterity, ability, skill shown at the commencement of any work.

Ex.—Noo, yon chap hez a bit o’ framation aboot him.

Frame, v. To show good management, contrive well.

Ex.—T’ lass frames weel ti milk.

Fratch, v. To quarrel.

Fraunge, v. To play a joke.

Fresh, adj. Intoxicated.

Fresh-wood, n. The threshold of a doorway.

Fridge, v. To rub against so as to cause a sore.

Frightened, Freetened, adj. and part. 1. Doubtful as to.

2. Apprehensive of.

3. Bashful.

Ex.—1. Ah’s freetened he weean’t mannish ti cum.

2. Sha war despert freetened ’at he war gahin’ ti splet aboot what tha’d deean.

3. Gi’e t’ lass a kiss, deean’t be freetened.

Frog-fry, n. Frog- or toad-spawn.

Fromward, prep. Away from.

Frough, adj. Soft, spongy.

Frow, n. An untidy person, generally a female.

Frowsy, adj. Applied to a forbidding countenance, untidy, musty.

Frutas, n. A kind of tea-cake made of batter and fruits fried in butter on Ash Wednesday.

Fuggy, adj. First. Vide Laggy.

Full, adv. An intensive, as ‘Full seean,’ i.e. ‘full soon.’

Ex.—Ah’ll be on full seean efter dinner, i.e. ‘very soon.’

Full-fligged, adj. Full-feathered.

Fullock, v. To shoot a marble with force, and by unfairly overreaching the line; to do anything with considerable force.

Ex.—He went at it wi’ sike a fullock.

Full-up, adv. Quite full.

Fun, pp. of Find.

Fur, For.

Furmety, Frummety, n. Creed-wheat boiled in milk, thickened with lithing, sweetened, and flavoured with cloves, nutmeg, &c., only eaten at Christmas time.

Furrh, n. A furrow.

Fustilugs, n. A low fellow.

Fuzzack, n. A donkey.

Fuzz-ball, n. The common field-fungus which, when ripe, on being nipped emits a cloud of brown dust-spores.

Fuzzle, v. To intoxicate.

G.

Ga’, v. Gave.

Gaa, v. To go.

Gab, n. Senseless chatter.

Ex.—Ho’d thi gab, i.e. ‘Cease your foolish talk,’ or ‘hold your tongue.’

Gabber, v. To talk foolishly.

Gabriel-ratchet or T’ Gabby-ratch. A sound heard overhead in the still hours of the night, somewhat resembling the yelping of dogs; generally thought to be due to a flock of geese. When heard by the country folk it is looked upon as an omen of death.

Gad, n. A pointed rod, a whip-stock fitted with a thong. To guard against the power of witches the whip-stock was often made of rowan-tree wood.

Gad, Gadder, Gadabout, n. A gossip.

Gadding, part. Gossiping.

Gaddish, adj. Inclined to gossip.

Gadling, adj. Applied to a gossiping person.

Gae, Vide Gaa.

Gaed, pret. of Gae.

Gaffer, n. The master.

Ex.—Leeak oot, here’s t’ gaffer cumin’.

Gag-bit, n. A powerful bit used when breaking horses.

Gah, v. To go.

Gahins on, Doings, festivities, proceedings.

Ex.—Ther’s been straange gahins on at Bessy’s sen Martha cam yam. Noo, wa ’ed grand gahins on at t’ Jubilee.

Gahlfat. Vide Gilevat.

Gain, Gainest, adj. Shortest, quickest, easiest.

Ex.—It’s t’ gainest waay ti gan byv t’ wood, i.e. ‘It is the shortest way,’ &c. Ther’s a gainer way ti deea’t ’an that, i.e. ‘There is a quicker or easier plan to do it than that.’

Gainable, adj. Obtainable.

Gain-hand, adj. Easily reached.

Gainly, adv. Easily gained, of access.

Gains, n. An advantage.

Gainstrive, Gainstand, v. To oppose.

Ex.—Yan caan’t gainstrive owt o’ that soart. Neeabody can gainstand thersens agaain t’ railway cump’ny.

Gain-way, n. A shorter path.

Gairn, Garn, n. Worsted, yarn.

Gaitings, n. Bundles of clover tied at the top and left to dry.

Gallac-handed, adj. Left-handed.

Ex.—Fau’k ’at’s gallac-handed’s awlus a larl bit tricky, Ah think.

Gallivant, v. To flirt, to be continually in the society of ladies.

Galloway, n. One of a small breed of horses.

Gallowses, Gallasses, n. Trouser braces.

Gally-bauk, n. An iron bar attached to the rann’l bauk, from which pans are hung either on or off the fire.

Galore, n. A superabundance.

Gam, n. 1. A game.