Kentish Dialect
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A Dictionary of the KENTISH DIALECT © 2008 KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 'A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms: in use in the county of Kent' by W.D.Parish and W.F.Shaw (Lewes: Farncombe,1888) 'The Dialect of Kent: being the fruits of many rambles' by F. W. T. Sanders (Private limited edition, 1950). Every attempt was made to contact the author to request permission to incorporate his work without success. His copyright is hereby acknowledged. 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms' : in use in the county of Kent by W.D.Parish and W.F.Shaw (Lewes: Farncombe,1888) Annotated copy by L. R. Allen Grove and others (1977) 'The Dialect of Kent in the 14th Century by Richard Morris' (Reprinted from Archaeologia Cantiana Vol VI, 1863) With thanks to the Centre for Kentish Studies, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent Database by Camilla Harley Layout and design © 2008 Kent Archaeological Society '0D RABBIT IT od rab-it it interj. A profane expression, meaning, "May God subvert it." From French 'rabattre'. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 11 AAZES n.pl. Hawthorn berries - S B Fletcher, 1940-50's; Boys from Snodland, L.R A.G. 1949. (see also Haazes, Harves, Haulms and Figs) Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 1 ABED ubed adv. In bed. "You have not been abed, then?" Othello Act 1 Sc 3 A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 ABIDE ubie-d vb. To bear; to endure; to tolerate; to put-up-with. Generally used in a negative sentence as: "I cannot abide swaggerers" 2 Henry 4, Act 2 Sc 4 A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 ABITED ubei-tid adj. Mildewed. (see also Bythe) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 ACHING-TOOTH n. To have an aching-tooth for anything, is to wish for it very much. "Muster Moppett's got a terr'ble aching-tooth for our old sow." A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 ACKLE vb. The only meaning attached to this word is that anything of a mechanical nature will, or will not, work. "My old watch won't ackle no-how!" "I got my cycle to ackle all right after giving the free-wheel a good oiling." The Dialect of Kent (c1950)Page 1 ACT-ABOUT vb. (1) To play the fool. "He got acting-about, and fell down and broke his leg." A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 ACT-ABOUT vb. (2) "Stop acting-about; stop skylarking." - West Kent. L.R.A.G. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 1 Page 1 of 378 ACT-THE-GIDDY-GOAT phr. To act foolishly. West Kent. L.R.A.G. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 1 ADDLE-HEADED adj. Stupid; thoughtless. - West Kent. L.R.A.G. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ADDLE-PATE n. A foolish person. - West Kent. L.R.A.G. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ADDLE-PLOT n. A person who spoils any amusement. - South Kent Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ADDLE-POOL n. A pool or puddle, near a dungheap, for receiving the fluid from it. - South Kent. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ADLE ad-l adj. Unwell; confused. "My head's that adle, that I can't tend to nothin'." A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 1 A-DOIN' vb. Doing is here prefixed by "A", and the "G" of doing cut out. "What be ye a-doin' of Bob?" The Dialect of Kent (c1950)Page 1 ADRY udrei- adj. In a dry or thirsty condition. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 AFEARED ufee-rd prep.Affected with fear or terror. "Will not the ladies be afeared of the lion?" A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3 Sc1 A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 AFORE ufoa'r prep Before A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 Page 2 of 378 AFTERMATH n. The grass which grows after the first crop has been mown for hay; called also Roughings. - Maidstone district. J.H.Bridge. (see also Aftermath, Fog) Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 AFTERMEATH aaft-urmee-th n. The grass which grows after the first crop has been mown for hay; called also Roughings. (see also Aftermath, Fog) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 AGAINST adv. By the time that. "Get it ready against I come back." - R Cooke Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 AGHTEND n. Eighth. 'The Old Kentish numerals, as exhibited in the 'Ayenbite of Inwyt', 1340, are identical with the Northen forms, but are no doubt of Frisian origin.' The Dialect of Kent in the 14th Century. (1863)Page 21 AGIN urgin- prep.Against; over-against; near. "He lives down de lane agin de stile." A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 AGREEABLE urgree-ubl adj. Consenting; acquiescent. "They axed me what I thought an't, and I said as how I was agreeeable."' A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 AIREY adj. A word denoting a particular type of weather; the meaning is:- windy, or blustery; cold and gusty wind. "It be a roight airey day today mairt!" "The way the old sun be a-goin' down looks loike being airey weather for tomorrow." The Dialect of Kent (c1950)Page 1 AIRY n. The Area of a house. - Mrs Allen, c 1920. "One two three, olairy, My ball's down the airy. Don't forget to give it to Mary. Not to Charlie Chaplin." Ball game in West Kent and South East London in 1920's - London Street Games, Norman Douglas. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 Page 3 of 378 AKERS ai-kurz n.pl Acorns A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALEING ai-ling n. An old-fashioned entertainment, given with a view to collecting subscriptions from guests invited to partake of a brewing of ale. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALE-SOP ai-lsop n. A refection consisting of toast and strong ale, hot; customarily partaken of by the servants in many large establishments in Kent on Christmas day. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALL-A-MOST au-lumoast adv. Almost. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALLEMASH-DAY al-imash n. French, À la mèche. The day on which the Canterbury silk-weavers begin to work by candle-light. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALL-FOURS n. A well-known game at cards; said by Cotton in 'Compleat Gamester' 1709, p 81 to be "very much played in Kent". - L.R.A.G. Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ALL-ON adv. (1) Continually. "He kep all on actin'-about, and wouldn't tend to nothin'." (see also All- on (2) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALL-ON adv. (2) Continually. "He kep all on actin'-about, and wouldn't tend to nothin'." - L.R.A.G. (see also All-on (1) Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ALLOW vb. To consider. "He's allowed to be the biggest rogue in Faversham." A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 Page 4 of 378 ALLOWANCE n. An allowance; bread and cheese and ale given to the wagoners when they have brought home the load, hence any recompense for little jobs of work.- R.Cooke. (see also 'lowance) Notes on 'A Dictionary of Kentish Dialect & Provincialisms' (c1977)Page 2 ALLWORKS n. The name given to a labourer on a farm, who stands ready to do any and every kind of work to which he may be set. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 2 ALONGST ulongst- prep.On the long side of anything. A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 ALUS ai-lus n. An ale-house. "And when a goodish bit we'd bin We turned to de right han; And den we turned about agin, And see an alus stan." - Dick and Sal, st 33 A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 AM Used for are; as - "They'm gone to bed." (see also Them) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 AM YE vb. Are you. "What am ye a-doin' of a-chasing them there chickens about?" The Dialect of Kent (c1950)Page 1 AMENDMENT u'men-munt n. Manure laid on land. (see also Mendment) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 AMMUT-CAST am-ut kaa-st n. An emmet's cast; an ant-hill. (see also Emmet's cast) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 AMON ai-mun n. A hop, two steps, and a jump. (see also Half-amon) A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888)Page 3 Page 5 of 378 AMONST THE MIDDLINS adv.