Observations on Some of The Dialects

 in The West of England - Somerset Particularly

The following glossary was copied from a book of the above title by James Jennings

who was born at Huntspill, Somerset in the latter half of the 18th century.

He became Honorary Secretary of the Metropolitan Literary Institute, London.

In 1825 he published this book that also contains poems and other pieces that exemplify the dialect,

included also are descriptions of various objects.

Some definitions I have added to with more contemporary clarity.

Fine

NOTES:

1. These words are in very common use in the West of England (at the time when this glossary was compiled) - It is curious to note their gradation from Chaucer, whose expression is, Beren hem on hond or  bare him on hond; - implying always, it appears to me, the same meaning as I have given to the words above. There is think, no doubt, that these expressions of Chaucer, which he has used several times in his works, are figurative; when Chaucer tells us he beren hem in hond, the literal meaning is, he carried it in, or on, his hand so that it might be readily seen. "To bear on hand, to affirm, to relate." - Jamieson's Etymological Scots Dictionary. But, whatever be the meaning of these words in Chaucer, and at the present time in Scotland, the above is the meaning of them in the West of England.

2. Lord Byron has used the verb bedrudge in his notes to the 2nd canto of Childe Harold.

3. It is not easy to define the meaning of these words; they indicate some determination of mind; and are, most probably, oaths of asseveration. The last appears to be a corruption of by godmothers. Both are thrown into discourse very frequently:         [Begummers I ont tell; I can't do it, begorz.]

4. This practice was widespread throughout England at one time, partly due to the abundance of sparrows that ate large quantities of grain, and were also a menace to vegetable & fruit growers, but has been illegal now for many years.

5. A rooting axe is a tool specially made for cutting out tree roots.

6. Black pudding is made with pig's blood, pork fat and cereal (oatmeal and or barley) - usually eaten at breakfast time.

7. "Blind-buck and Have Ye" - is no doubt the origin of this appellation for a well-known amusement.

8. This species of Mugwort has been used medicinally for many years including the encouragement of menstruation, hence the origin of this dialectic name. See also this Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstruation

9. The word became used for a sporting adventure, details of which can be seen at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungee_jumping

10. Has the same spelling as the Scots word which initially has a different meaning:- To talk fast and, in consequence generally nonsensical; and so fast that foam (Bladders) form at the mouth.

11. This word is used by Todd in his work Johnson, and is therein spelt 'bore'. I (Jennings) prefer the above orthography, because I believe that the word is derived from the animal so called, in consequence of the noise, rushing and impetuosity of the water. Mr Todd's definition, notwithstanding the authority of Mr Burke, is not applicable to the boar to be seen in the river Parret. With this phenomenon I have been familiar from my childhood. [Jennings goes on to site several sources including a French dialogue that is too long for this purpose]

12. Also spelt 'Clice' - on the levels of Somerset where the river Brue and the King's Sedgemoor Drain meet the sea, a Clice is set up to control the levels' water drainage. These consist of gates that can be opened or closed, according to the level of inland water, they also stop the ingress of sea water, one is at Highbridge the other at West Huntspill near the sea wall.

13. The term 'Clavy' was, most probaly, given to that piece of wood, or other material, which is usually laid over the front of the fire place, because, in most houses of any consideration, even country farm houses, the keys were formerly, and, indeed, now very often (c.19th century) - suspended on pins or nails driven into it; hence from 'clavis'  - Latin for a key, is derived the term 'Clavy', the place where keys were hung. [Why keys were hung over fireplaces is another question, but one supposes that as they were prone to rusting, being hung in this fashion would stop that from happening?] RLDC

14. It was formerly a kind of imprecation, implying 'God Hang It';

15. This gave rise to the ode: "Hen Pen; Duck-an-Mallard; Amen"

16. 'Dame' as used in this dialect, is never used in the sense of  'Lady', nor is it ever applied to persons in the upper ranks of society, nor to the lowest. When a female is referred to as Dame Bennet or Dame Cox etc,. we mean the wife of some farmer or sometimes a school mistress. It is rarely, if ever, applied to a young woman!

17. This practice "Skimmerton Riding" was used at Huntspill, Somerset and is recorded in the Parish Registers when a certain woman was recorded as having had to go through this procedure!

18. Derived most probably from "Highty-Tity" - Height & Weight - A board or pole, resting, in the middle only, on some elevated place and balanced so that two persons, one sitting on each end, may move up and down alternately by striking the ground with their feet. It is sometimes called simply "TAYTY" - this in addition to the alternative description of "Hayty-Tayty"!!

19.