The Federation of Old Cornwall Societies

The Dialect of Cornwall

In Conjunction with Brian Stevens

Recorder of Dialect

1.

"Thay that caint skeemy must Jouster."

Those unable to do the scheming must do the labouring.

2.

"Tearin' 'long like Betty Kemp in the brembles." 

In great haste.

3.

"Zac an' Zac, like Tom Rowe's mouth." 

Always correct.

4.

"Like a duck geekin' 'gainst thunder." 

Looking very annoyed.

5.

"Talk the hind •leg ov a dunkey off." 

A very talkative person.

6.

 "Standin' in es own light." 

Failing to grasp the situation.

7.

 "Sick as a shag."

Sea sickness could account for this.

8.

"Must 'ave be'n mended weth a red hot needle an' burning thread." 

A mending job badly done.

9. 

"Screech'en like a whit-nick." 

A shrill cry, compared to that of a stoat.

10.

"Et was scat to tampin'."

Broken into fragments.

11

"Tearin' 'long like a man goin' to a wreck." 

Walking very quickly.

12.

"Stare'en like a stuck't pig."

To glare, to look surprised.

13.

"As poor as a coot." 

Starved.

14.

"hazed as a curley."

Dancing around in a temper.

15.

"Like a pig weth wan ear." 

One-sided

16.

"Tha's like Marvah Downs." 

Rough, bad workmanship.

17.

"Blowed up like a quilken."

Inflated, quilken * frog.

18.

"Like a cat in a bonfire, don't know which way to turn."

A person in a dilemma.

19.

"Gruffed up like a hedge-e-boar." 

Compared to a hedgehog.

20. 

"Ees like a toad 'pon a red-hot fire showl." 

Unable to stand still. showl = shovel 

21.

"Like Lavinia! ... She's dryin' by faith 'spore ... else she wedn't 'ave a line ov clothes out in a stream ov rain."

22.

  "Grizzlin' like a badger."

Very annoyed, in a temper.

23.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish."

Said of the other person, after two people have quarreled.

24.

"She al'ays must be head an' chief."

A very forward person.

25.

"Must al'ays be fore pilcher." 

Always to the front.

26.

"Al' behind like a cows tail."

Slow with their work.

27.

"Al' on wan side, like a crab goin' to Scilly." 

Leaning sideways.

28.

"A change es as good as a touch-pipe."

Having a change is as good as a rest. touch-pipe = Smoke

29.

"I'd as soon give ee a scat in the chacks as not."

Get a slap on the cheeks.

30.

 "Bring in a towser-full of bruss for me." 

towser = coarse apron, bruss = small pieces of gorse.

31.

"Comin' to Cum, like the of woman's butter." 

Improving, taking shape.

32.

"Stick to your stannin' of you don't sell a ha'porth."

Not to give up hope.

33.

"Got a bra' of pain in my cheens."

A pain in the lower part of the back.

34.

"A case of the crock callin'the brandis sooty."

Hinting that others are exactly what you are yourself.

35. 

"Tough as a gum boot."

Well made, strong.

36.

"Thee't some great chuckle-head."

A stupid person.

37.

"Put in weth the dough and took out weth the buns." 

Simpleton.

38.

"As rough as a nut-meg grater."

Coarse, rough-grained.

39.

"Watch pot never boil."

Impatient

40.

"Giv'um bell tihk."

Hammer it hard, to drive it home.

41. 

"Soak your feet in the sea."

Go paddling in the sea.

42.

"You're 'a agrivatin' young monkey."

Annoying.

43•

"Our of cow es gone to sue."

A cow that has ceased to give milk.

44.

"Doan't ee stand theere bare-vamped."

Not to stand in one's stockings without shoes on.

45

"I cave um a braa of flink."

Tried hard to accomplish.

46.

"That of heffer es braa'n breechy."

Young cow given to climbing over fences.

47.

 "We ar' havin' a drop of bread-an-dippy."

Barley bread with thin cream.

48.

"Ees nothin' but a cage ov bones."

Reduced to a skeleton.

49.

"I be'n an' caught up all my churs."

Completed all the odd jobs.

50.

"Ee's caggled up from head to foot."

Covered in dirt or mud.

51.

"She's a braa of coddler.

Untidy, slovenly worker.

52.  

"I'm chackin', I cud drink the sea dry." 

Very thirsty.

53.

"Like of Jan Trembay, ee's click-handed."

Left-handed.

54.

"Grinnin' like a clomen cat." 

A forced smile.

55.

"That of mare es cloppin' again."

A horse that has gone lame.

56. 

"Now! Stop them tantrums or I'll give ee a good clout." 

Child mis-behaving itself.

57.

"Putt a li'l it ov codjey-wax to um."

Shoemaker's wax.

58.  

"Ah! iss my deear, that child es a cum-by-chance." 

Illegitimate.

59.

 "Tha's_, a base-child, she 'ad ee 'fore she was married."

Not born in wedlock.

60.

"Now don't ee go crowdlin' on the way." 

Not to go loitering.

61.

"That theere jug ov milk es gone cruddly."

Gone sour.

62. 

"I be'n cuddlin' 'round the place all day." 

Doing odd jobs.

63.

"Bri-nites choir was 'ere singin' curls laast night."

Bible Christian choir singing carols.

64.  

"That loaf ov bread 'ave got a cuney on um." 

Gone mildewed.

65. 

"She's daggin' to know wha's what."

Very anxious.

66.

"I wanted a few deal-seed of you 'ad um." 

Fir cones.

67.

"Iss my deear, she's as deef as a adder."

Hard of hearing.

68.

"Ee kicked up a braa of dido when ee come 

Made a scene, very ill tempered.

69. 

"Ee borrowed a brae li'1 bit from me, and paid me back in dribs an' drabs.' 

Paid back in small amounts.

70

"I putt a lot ov elbow grease 'bout um." 

Worked very hard on it.

71.

 "She's very low sperited an' down in the mouth."

Worried and in ill health.

72.

 "We've 'ad a long spell ov dryth." 

Dry weather.

73.

  "Will ee stop blowin' that of feap.n 

A whistle made out of a twig from the elder tree.

74.

"Ee be'n an' tore ees coat to flitters." 

Torn in rags.

75.

 "She's a proper fly-by-night." 

Never in the same place for long.

76

.'Bring in a 'nother jaffie ov furzymores." 

A bundle of the roots from gorse bushes.

77.

"She's ai'ays out gallivantin'."

Never at home.

78.

"I dedn't gick nor gack, I told 'er straight out."

Without any hesitation.

79.

"Bring in a few more glaws to put on the fire."

Dried cow dung.

80.

 "And please to stop that theere glumpin'." 

Sulking.

81. 

 "The poor of thing es gone-round-land."

Dead, finished, ended.

82.

"Throw them groushans away." 

'Dregs in a cup, from tea or coffee

83.

 "Es ain't got the sense ee was born weth."

Ignorant, stupid.

84.

"A in't got a bit ov gumshum." 

No idea.

85.

 "We 'ad a basin ov gurty-milk for supper." 

A thin gruel made of milk and water, flour, and salt.

86.  

 "Our of mare es lookin' braa'n hair-pitched." 

Unbrushed coat, such as horses when left to run wild.

87.   

     "Go'os the way 'ome weth ee."

Don't be silly, go home with you.

88. 

"Thee't braa'ly gulgin' boy." 

Very thirsty.

89.    

"I'll go haalf'ens weth ee." 

Have equal shares.

90.    

"She was leanin' over the hepse-door." 

A door made in two sections, the lower half closed.

91. 

  "Iss she's hipped over somethin'." 

Annoyed.

92.  

  "Ees braa'ly wheezin' on ees chest." 

Chesty cold

93.

   "Be'n talkin' so much I'm gone hoisey." 

Throat infection.

94.

 "He's a proper of holla-pot." 

Loud talker.

95

"That child got the hootin' cough." 

Whooping cough.

96.

"She's doin' a bit ov hollow-work." 

Embroidery.

97,

'Can ee see that horse-adder theere." 

Dragonfly.

98. 

"Ees as hungry as the grave."

Mean, stingy.

99.

" Johnny-cum-fortnight be' to our place." 

Travelling salesman.

100.

"Nough to joust your Cuts out."

Riding over a rough road.

101.

"ie 'ad a braa of jowdle'n I can tell ee." 

Rough ride.

102.

"'Ave ee seen the fish jouster anywheere." 

Fish salesman.

103.

"Cum 'ere an' let me use the keemin'-comb on that head." 

Use a small-tooth comb.

104.

"Thee't braa'ly kibbin the heels ov them shoes."

'Tearing the heels of the shoes on one side.

105.

"Ees arm will take a long time to kedge." 

To heal after the arm has been broken.

106.

 "Jan do al'ays 'ave kitty-bags on." 

Coarse pieces of cloth used as leggings.

107.

"You shaan't 'ave that of clidgy muck."

Sticky, adhesive.

108.

"Ees cloppin! to the ground."

Walking lame;

109.

"You'll 'ave to knuckle-under my son." 

Relent, submit.

110.

"Iss!_, but ees only a labbot." 

Any odd-job man.

111.

"A bigger lerrups than ee I never seed." 

Never saw a more untidy person.

112.

"Well! I gav'n a lick-and-a-promise." 

Intending to do it more thoroughly next time.

113

"Don't stank on that long-cripple." 

Don't step on that lizard.

114. 

"She's a braa black malkum." 

Dirty, slovenly.

115.

"Bring in a maun ov turmits for the cows."

Basket of turnips.

116.   

"Et nearly drove me meezy-mazy." 

Confused, bewildered.

117.

"Better putt a 'nuther merl in um." 

Add another link in a chain.

118.

"That boybe'n minchin' from school again."

Playing truant.

119.

"Ees a proper of molly-caudle."

An effeminate person.

120.

"I'd pull ees hair out moor-an-mould." 

To pull hair from the very roots.

121.

"Proper of mully-head ee es."

A head of unkempt hair.

122. 

"That boy's face es full ov murfles." 

Freckled face.

123.

"You be'n an' stanked in the muryens now." 

Stepped on an ant pile.

124.

"That of boy be'n muttin' all day."

Sulking.

125.

"Got a pain in ees nuddick."

Pain in the nape of the neck.

126.

"My of uzzle es bran dry seemin'." 

Dryness at the back of the throat.

127.

"I be.'n an' palched um up a bit."

Made small repairs.

128.

"A passel ov of lap I do call them."

Useless, rubbish.

129.

"He'll be penny lickin' 'fore the day es out."

Spent all his money.

130.  

"They'll 'ave to sleep pen-a-means way."

Several in one bed, some sleeping head to foot,of the bed, others sleeping naturally.

131.

"Had to keep Jimmy 'ome from school today, 'cause ee 'ad the back-door trot."

Jimmy has the Diarrhea.

132.

"Ply of pin-bones are braa'ly achin' today."

Pain in the hip-joints.

133.

"Some will 'ave to sleep 'pen the planchon." 

Sleep on the bedroom floor.

134. 

"Some splosh 'round 'ere." 

Very muddy.

135.

"I'll give ee some poamin when catch ee." 

A sound thrashing.

136. 

"Be'n poddlin' 'round a bit." 

Doing odd jobs.

137.

"That donkey es pralled." 

A tin can tied to its tail.

138.

 "Ees got proud-flesh in that finger." 

Inflamed, swollen.

139. 

"We'll 'ave that punyon took down." 

Remove the breast of a chimney in a room.

140. 

"How ded'n ee quatty down a bit." 

To sit on ones heels.

141. 

"I'm feelin' a bit rawnish like."

^Hungry .

142.

"Want to ream that pan ov milk a minute." 

Remove the cream from a pan of scalded milk.

143. 

"Our roof was riffle't in the gale." 

Roof unslated in the storm.

144.

"She!s lookin' some rory-tory." 

Over-dressed.

145. 

"Don't ee do co much 'eavin' and rouge'n."

Not to lift so many heavy weights.

146.

"You be'n an' scat'en off ets ruddicks now." 

Unbalanced it.

147.

"This tea es a bit soddled."

Been brewed too long.

148.

"And ee went down a bra« of scal-bral." 

Fell heavily.

149. 

"Like Tom Toman, al'ays two seats behind."

Never on time.

150.

"No! to tell'ee the truth, ee ain't got no scaunce.

No ideas, stupid.

151.

"How are'ee scraunch'n them up so." 

Instead of sucking a boiled sweet, to bite it.

152.

"Tha's a We ov of scroff you be'n an' bro't in." 

Small, undersized, rubbish.

153. 

 "I went next door curs'in a bit."

Gossiping.

154. 

"I threatened to shake ees gizzard out of ee ded'et agen." 

Doing what he should not have been doing.

155.

"Got to skud a field ov dressin' 'fore the day es out."

Dressing a field with manure.

156. 

"You'd better 'ave a skute put on that boot." 

A small patch on the sole, where it has worn.)

157.

"Sem-en-to-me you are late, aren't ee?" 

It seems to me you are late.

158.

"Got the cold shevvers goin' down my spine."

Seems likely to have caught a cold.

159.

"Ees skeetin'.down weth rain out." 

Pouring with 'rain.

160.

"Tha's lookin all skew-whiff to me." 

Out of line, one-sided.

161.  

"I putt'en in the skibbet ov the chest." 

Small compartment in a wooden box.

162.

"You better 'ave a few sparbles putt in the bottoms ov them boots." 

Small nails, to save the soles from wearing away.

163.

"We'll kill that of spicketty fowl for denner today." 

A hen with multi-coloured feathers.

164.

 "Ees a braa of spiff ed'n ee."

He is very well dressed.

165.

 "Ain't got a bit ov spra:;il left in me."

No energy.

166. 

"The backs ov my hands are some sprayed." 

Resulting from the cold wind.

167.

"Van more li'l spurt will finish em." 

Another spell will complete it.

168.

"Ee got the squinses." 

Quinay

169.

"I got squitches ov pain in my arm." 

Intermittent pains.

170.

"Ee tried to step over, but ee stanked right in um."

Misjudged the length of his stride.

171.

"I'm steeved weth the cold." 

Chilled with the cold.

172.

"I putt in a extra stem over mine." 

An extra eight hours of work.

173.

'Bo't a bottle ov stillwaters yesterday." 

Distilled peppermint.

174. 

"Stroath'en 'long braa've an' speedy ee was."

Taking long strides.

175.

"Tie um up weth a bit ov strop."

Tie it up with rope.

176.

"Strove me down to the ground ee dedn't do et." 

Denied having done it.

177.

 "Ees a braa stuggy li'l fella."

Thickset.

178. 

"Iss; a took me all-on-the-ground-hop." 

Taken by surprise.

179.

"I fancy this butter got a tang wed'en." 

Unpleasant taste.

180.

"She's a braa tatchy of thing." 

Irritable.

181.

"We teel't a few early taties 'esterday."

Planting early potatoes.

182.

"Iss! we tho't we'd see the out ov et."

Thought we would stay until the end.

183. 

"Ol' Jan es a bit thurt-eyed."

Cross-eyed.

184.

 "That finger I bruised es quite tidd'en."

Very sore.

185.

"You got a tifflin' hangin' from your frock." 

Short end of cotton.

186.   

"I'll be gone up tember'en hill." 

Going upstairs to bed.

187.

"I tho't I'd tiddivate um up a bit." 

Redesign, to smarten it.

188.

"That of boy bro't in a jar ov Tom-toddys." 

A jar of tadpoles.

189.

"Can ee see that Tom-taylor flyin' 'round the lamp."

A daddy-longlegs.

190.

"For a tongue-tavis, she beat al^l the lot."

A chatterbox.

191.

"Now! we'll 'ave a bit ov touch-pipe."

A short interval of rest.

192. 

"So much fuss-an-towse weth she." 

Creating a scene.

193. 

"She do do a braa' bit ov traapsin' 'round." 

Always out walking around.

194.

"Wat a pile ov of traoch she got in there." 

Useless articles.

195. 

"Ee got a troll-foot."

A foot turned inwards.

196.

 "This house es like troy-town." 

In disorder, confusion.

197.

"T'wadden wa't I wanted."

Not what I wanted.

198.

"It was twick'en an' poot'en." 

Said of a pig when being ringed.

199.

"Be'n an' up-skud the lot now." 

Spilled all of it.

200.

"Ee got a silk on ee's eye."

A sty on the eyelid.

201.

"She'll whiddle um out ov 'im of she can."

She will persuade him to let her have it.

202. 

  "Ees a widow-man an' she's a widow-woman."

Widower and widow.

203.

 "That cheeld es braa'n wish't lookin'." 

Looking very ill.

204. 

   "Ee went waddl'n down the road."

With a jerking movement.

205.

"Got the wenders in my fingers." 

A stinging sensation caused by the cold.

206.

"Iss! ee 'ad the yella-jaunders."

The jaundice.

207.

"Just wan ov 'er of whims ray deear."

Stupid ideas.

208.

 "Put the teak'l on the fire, wee'll 'ave a cup ov tea now."

Put the kettle on for tea.

209.

"Ee was that mad, ee was tithen." 

Enraged, in a temper.

210.

 "Cain't play a game weth-out ees fouch'in." 

Cheating at a^•game of marbles.

211.

"Right es right sez I, an' wrong edn't no man's right." 

There should be fair play.

212.

"I want a clean pocket hankerchur."

A clean handkerchief.

213.

  "Never heeard the likes ov that in all my born days." 

Surprised at the information.

214.

 "I brail'y wanted to go too." 

Very anxious to have gone.

215.

"I cain't clunkey proper, my throat es that sore."

Difficulty in swallowing.

216.

"I was culfer'un um over a bit, to see what I cud throw 'way."

Discarding unwanted items.

217.

"You'll git a good cuff'un in a minute of you don't stop."

Threatened with a thrashing.

218.

"The weather es a bit coose today."

Very windy.

219.

"Ee fell down weth a wallop on the caunce." 

Fell heavily on the pavement.

220.

 "I made a Broke."

Groove.

221.

"The front ov 'er frock es some fousted." 

The frock is very soiled.

222.

"Tha's all over, like a dunkey race." 

Finished, nothing more can be done.

223.

"Wheere ded I drop that thing-um-a-bob to." 

What happened to that article or gadget.

224.

"Poor of fella, we'll 'ave to go 'round weth a brief fer 'im." 

Subscribe money to help in his difficulties.

225.

"Too late to shut the stable door when the hoss es gone."

226.

 "Saw a few colla-brans laast night." 

Summer lightning, without thunder.

227. 

"Duss-un-a know no better."

Did the wrong thing.

228. 

"Poor li'l chap, ee was jick'en broken-hearted." 

Crying desperately.

229.

"Ees some mingey of thing." 

Selfish, greedy.

230.

"My gosh, ee's in a bad way sure 'nough." 

In difficulty.

231. 

"Gave the cheeld a few nice'es." 

Gave the child a few sweets.

232.

 "Picked a handful ov ogg'ons." 

Berries from the hawthorn.

233. 

"Ee be'n an' caught a pad-gi-pow." 

A lizard.

234. 

"Played a game ov pinchey-puff."

A game played with pins.

235. 

"They're making some rattle-cum-stave up theere." 

Making an awful din.

236

"That cheeld es braa'ly ron'con on the chest." 

Bronchitis.

237. 

"Ee's a proper of reacher.."

Telling a tale that is far-fetched.

238.

"Sem'me you've be'n some stemm'un." 

Seems to me you have been a long time.

239.

"Ever see such a slodge'ns in your life." 

Careless, dirty worker.)

240.

"W'at a pile ov of twaddle she do go on weth." 

Foolish talk.

241.

"She's a braa of ashes cat." 

Spends a lot of time by the fire.

242.

"Only just makin' a bit ov bread an' butter."

Not a very successful concern.

243.

"Ee's a bigger liar than Tom Pepper."

244.

"a li'l bit on the footh'y side."

A rather forward person.

245.

"Squail'en like a goat in a. carp."

Singing, but rather out of tune. Compared to a goat bleating on a tarn, or hill-side.

246.

"Got more tungue than a cliff sheep." 

A very talkative person.

247.

 "Ee eat, an' eat, an'eat, I tho't ee was never goin' to stop."

A ravenous person.

248.

"Er frock was lookin' some tawdry."

Vivid, overdone.

249.

"'Ave a cream mossel will'ee." 

Would you like a morsel of bread and cream.

250.

"Started slaggin' out a bit now." 

Drizzling, fine rain.

251.

"She don't miss nothin', she's al'ays geekin' out the winder." 

She watches every movement from her window.

252.

"I putt'n up 'pon the talfat." 

A shelf, swung from the beams of the roof.

253.

"We tho't 'bout goin' to pick urts today." 

Pick wortleberries.

254.

"A proper vell'an ee es."

A villain, rogue.

255. 

"My gosh, ee be'n an' clunck'd um down whole."

Swallowed it whole.

256.

 "Proper of codger ee es."

Bad workmanship, anything will do.

257.

"Ee's al'ays on the cadge." 

Always begging.

258.

"lade a drang to take away the water."

Liade a little ditch or leat to drain the water.

259

 "The durns ov the door es rotten."

The jambs of the door are rotten.

260

"Duss'n ah know fitty boy."

Don't you know what is right boy.

261.

"They'll pick ee up 'fore you're down." 

They will try to correct you before you make a mistake.

262

"Put a bit ov saave to that sut." 

Put a little salve on the cut

263

"Now ee be'n an' squabbed ees thumb." 

Bruised his thumb

264.

"Ee were jumpin' the 'oss over the gur'goes a bit."

265

 "Saucy! ee's a braa saucy pil'yack." 

Impudent.

266.

"Goin' to pitch to and finish um now." 

Get the job finished immediately.

267.

"She's al'ays bal-rag'n somebody." 

Very abusive.

268.

"Now! you be'n an' scatt'en to shivereens." 

Broken into fragments.

269.  

"I've finished my ironin' and putt the box-an-hetters away."

Old method of doing the ironing.

270.

"Got some of kilter 'pon 'er shoes." 

Shoes covered in filth.

271. 

"Sem-en-to-me I'm feelin' brav'n leary." 

Seemingly I feel very hungry.

272.

"Our launders do want clear'n out." 

Guttering wants cleaning out.

273.

"'0w are ee laggin' behind so." 

Loitering.

274. 

 "Her of tongue was goin' like the clack ov a mill." 

Talking non-stop.

275.

"Ah wadn't but a crawgan-full." 

Enough to fill a limpet shell.

276. 

  "Got in the lewth, under the leu hedge." 

Took shelter behind a hedge, away from the wind.

277.

   "Pulled a kibble of water out of the peath."

A bucket of water from the well.

278.

"Iss, she 'ad a bit ov a quam."

Swooned, fainted.

279.

"Bo't a bit ov Tom Trat."

Bought some mint humbug.

280.

 "Got a tinner's nest in our garden."

A water wagtail's nest.

281.

 "Thay ar' a lot ov of tal-rag." 

People not held in very high esteem.

282

"Ee made a pretty straight voor." 

The furrow made when ploughing a field.

283.

"That field es full ov want piles." 

Mounds of earth thrown up by moles.

284.

"I cain't say I do knaw um, but I've 'eeard tell ov um." 

Heard of him but never met him.

285. 

 "Ee 'ott to 'ave um beaten 'round ees head an' ears."

Having spoiled whatever he was engaged on, he deserves to have it smashed about his head.

286.

"Thay ar' all tarred weth wan brush."

There is nothing to choose between them.

287.

"Ee got a braa li'l nest egg put 'way on the quiet." 

quite a sum of money saved.

288. 

"Ef you make a hard bed you must lie in um."

Better make sure you have the right mate.

289.

"You can like'en or you can lump'en, you'll 'ave to eaten or go wethout."

The food does not appeal to him apparently.

290. 

"You needn't think you ^art goin' to ride the high-horse 'ere, 'cause you wain''t."

No dictating allowed in that house.

291.

  "You cain't git blood out ov a stone."

If not obtainable, then do without.

292.

 "And that took the wind out ov ees sails."

Surprised, had a shock.

293. 

"I weighed'n 'pon the stil'yers." 

On a weighing machine.

294. 

"Like a bull in a china shop." 

Making a rush for it.)

295.

"Better fit you hold your tongue."

Not to interfere.

296.

 "I be'n bestin' whether to go or no."

Trying to decide.

297.

"Jan bro't in a few chibb'els for tea." 

Young shallots, spring-onions.

298.

"Had to do a lot ov cheffer'en to git et." 

Arguement, before coming to a decision.

299

"This meat ed'n more'n creeved."

Beef very underdone.

300.

"Don't want but a didd'gy bit ov um."

Tiniest piece.

301.  

"'Went to Sennan Green 'pon the dilly." 

Rode on a farm waggon to Sennen Green.

302.  

"Ed'n more'n a little driggle runnin'."

A very tiny stream.

303. 

"That don't look very eye-able to me." 

Not very presentable.

304.

"He's only just fanged to et." 

only now realised it.

305.

"That ed'n lookin' very fitty to me." 

Not very suitable.

306.

"That shop up the street es gone in too." 

Gone bankrupt.

307.

"flan or two ov the Ellens ar' gone off our roof."

Slates dislodged.

308. 

"Got a nasty naggin' pain in my innerds." 

A pain in the stomach.

309, 

"She be'n knack't for many years." 

A mine which has ceased working.

310.

 "Sem'n-to-me, like a thing, I can remember ee."

It seems to me I can remember him.

311.

"I weighed'n an' ee wadn't far shart." 

It was almost the correct weight.

312.

"I tho't I'd stop an' see the out ov et." 

Stay until the end.

313.

"Jan do deearly like ees of nose-warmer." 

A short-stemmed clay pipe.

314.

 "Got a steff -neck, an' Mother said for to tie my stockin' 'round um when I go to bed, 'cause that will sure to cure um."

Having a stiff neck, am advised to use the old remedy.)

315.

"Cain't take no more notice of she than the tweetin' ov the sparras." 

Empty talk, compared to the twittering of sparrows.

316.

"She's a braa' holla-bla-loo." 

Always shouting and brawling.

317.

"Al'ays got to poke 'er nose in." 

Must always interfere.

318.

"I do call that wess than git out." 

The height of meanness. wess = worse.

319. 

"Ki'sss! cuss that of cat."

A cat driven out of doors.

320.

"For two pins I'd give ee a whizz in the side of the head."

Threatened with chastisement.

321.

"Iss! cain't help it 'spose, but ee's al'ays dwellin' on et."

Always on his mind.

322.

"She'll be fool't of she thinks she can rule the roost."

Fooled if she thinks she can dictate.

323.

"Don't want so much para-ma-saunce 'bout et." 

Trying to over-do the job.

324.

"As I do say, you cain't be first and last too.

325.

 "My boy be'n out drucklin' ees hoop."

Playing with his hoop.

326.

"We ar' havin' a nice li'1 ferny scat."

Nice autumn weather, suitable for gathering bracken to be used as bedding for cattle.)

327.

"She went on weth a braa of ran-di-gal." 

A rigmarole.

328.

"Ee used to look after stamp'ses down bottoms." 

He tended the stamping mill in the valley.

329.

"Be'n an' scat ees wind out." 

Breath knocked out of him.

330.

"My gosh! tha's dearer than saffern." 

Very expensive. saffern = saffron

331.

"Iss! an' she went an' picked ees guts out."

Got'all the information she wanted.

332.

"An' no beatin' 'bout the bush 'nother."

Trying to refrain from giving a definite answer.

333.

"Don't want no Im'en nor Ah'en 'bout et."

To deliberate, make an excuse.

334.

 "She went 'long weth 'er head in the air, you'd think she owned the place."

Very independant person.

335.

"She's nothin' but a up-start." 

She has nothing to boast about.

336.

"Ee clembered up the ladder." 

Ascended the ladder.

337

"They down' tools and 'ad a bit ov croust." 

They dropped their tools and had a snack.

338.

"Duss'na talk 'bout um, ee don't know the way in out ov a stream ov rain."

Rather a stupid fellow, I would say.

339.

"Com'in blindmans-holidays agen, time to light the light." 

Lighting-up time.

340.

"James Henry do deearly like to 'ave a tune 'pon ees carge'l."

Likes to play his accordian.

341.

"Goin' 'ome wan by wan, like Mary Andrew'ses geese." 

Everyone homeward bound.

342.

"Nothin' will stop she, wance she got 'er mind made up." 

Very determined.

343.

"You caan't git 'round ee very easy."

Difficult to get on your side.

344.

"I wedn't give nothin' for ee." 

Appears to be dying.

345.

"She's a proper of news'er she do know the news from nine parishes 'round."

Likes to keep herself well informed, apparently.

346.

"Ah! my deear! but ees mind es wanderin' so."

Losing his memory.

347.

"Iss! but she's a bit touched in the head." 

Insane.

34⁸•

"Ee was like a drone in a bussa."

ot very successful in his attempt at singing.

349.

"Thay cheldren ar' some finnicky." 

Very precise in their ways.

350.

"Well! ees tryin' to keep ees head 'bove water of ee can." 

Trying to pay his way, and keep out of debt.

351.

 "Don't take much to put ees nose out ov joint." 

Easily offended.

352.

"I'll tell'ee my son, ee edn't all theere."

Lacks intellect.

353.

 "Th^a'^s what I call a bobby-dazzler." 

Vivid, brilliant.

354. 

"My gosh! its ?nough to put your head abroad." 

An unbearable row.

355.

"She's gone up the 'W' a minute."

It was situated at the end of the yard.

356.

"Ded'ee ever 'ear tell ov such tommy-rot in your life." 

Foolish talk, rubbish.

357.

 "And thay ain't got chick nor child to worry 'bout." 

No encumbrances.

358.

"Giv'ee a inch an' ee'll take a yard." 

Covetous.

359.  

"Force putt no choice." 

No alternative.

360.

"Kept our Jimmy 'ome from school today, 'cause ee 'ad the back-door trot on um." 

The loo was out in the back yard.

361.

 "Better fit you putt'en wheere you cu'd find em." 

Something mislaid.

362. 

"I dedn't like ee very much, so I sent 'im 'bout ees business."

Dismissed him rather quickly.

363.   

"Cudd'en 'avg be'n better for ee cud ah." 

Suitable arrangement.

364. 

"Ee gave me a pile ov sauce an' emperence, so I drove um to doors." 

Impertinent, thereby expelled from his lodgings.

365.

"Thee't lookin' like a swellack boy."

Face swollen with the cold weather.

366.

 "Tha's leakin' like a basket."

Not water-tight.

367. 

 "I wedn' trust ee further than I cud throw a dead hoes by ees tail." 

Cannot be trusted.

368.

"Only want touchin' up a bit."

Small repairs needed.

369.

"Iss! I'm braav' an' middlin' agen I b'lieve thank'ee."

In fairly good health.

370.

 "Alright for thay that like that sort ov thing, but a wedn' suit me."

Has no appeal.

371. 

"Nough to drive a man to drink."

worried evidently.

372.

 "Bo't a few seedy bisckeys today."

Biscuits with caraway seeds in them.

373.

"An' ees hard hat was squabbed flat as a pancake."

Crushed.

374.

 "Et was like talkin' fer talkin' sake, 'cause ee dedn't take wan bit ov notice." 

Indifferent to all that was said.

375

"I gav'en a basin ov -slops 'fore ee went to bed." 

Basin of bread and milk.

376.

"'Ow don't ee drag that skethan 'ome a bit."

Mend a tear in a garment.

377

"Like lookin' for a needle in a hay-stack."

Little hope of it being found.

378. 

"You'll 'ave to speal et out a bit." 

Make it last as long as possible.

379.

"She wain't want a second askin'."

A forward person.

380.

"You cudn't gi_rt a word in edge-ways, 'cause she 'ad al^l to say."

A talkative.person.

381.

 "Gone home-a-long 'fore a do come dark."

Get home before nightfall.

382.  

  "We shall 'ave to finish up the scrals today." 

Eat the oddments left from previous meals.

383. 

"Wadd'en no such'thing, tha's a passel a lies ee tell'n." 

Lying to excuse himself.

384.   

 "Better be on your 'P's an' 'Q's when ees 'round." 

He won't stand any nonsense.

385

 "Tha of tongue ob'n don't stop.... ees like a grammyfone wance ees winded up." 

No stopping him once he gets started.

386.

"Putt haalf-hunderd ov pilchers down 'gainst wenter."

Salted pilchards for winter use.

387. 

  "Ee don't know 'A' from the track ov a duck." 

Unable to read.

388.

  "Iss! ah do go in wan ear an' out the other weth me."

Not in the least interested.

389.

"'Wheere ded^-I putt that wat-ee-ma-call-um." 

Forgot the name of the article required.

390.  

"Well! I don't want to know your business, I merely asked."

Pretending not to be curious.

39¹

"She 'ad a lot ov trink'lums on 'er mantle-shilf." 

Lots of trinkets on her mantle-shelf.

392. 

"A wink es as good as a nod to a blind horse."

393.

"Ee went runnin' like a long-dog." 

Compared to a greyhound.

394.

"Thay used to 'ave a stannin' up 'ere Feast'en time... sold hurby-beer an' lempots.

Had a stall selling herb-beer and limpets.

395. 

"Ee be'n busy as a hen weth wan chick."

Pretending to be busy.

396. 

"How in the name o' forchen ded ee git in theere."

Unsolved mystery.

397.

 "No! somehow•or other thay cud never stable hosses." 

Unable ever to agree.

398.  

"I gave ee the only'est stew 'cross tha chacks ee've 'ad for a long time."

Struck him across the cheeks.

399.

"Go!ast on Jan... smother 'way to'n... thee's smoke thyself black in tha faace 'fore finish."

Jan must have been a heavy smoker.

400. 

"Kiss my foot! I wain't do et to please ee, see!"

Not willing to oblige.

401.

"Go far'n!... scat them up... plenty more wheere thay cum from... of you got the money to buy them weth."

Using a little sarcasm on account of the breakages.

402. 

"You cain't make a silk purse out ov a pig's ear."

403.

 "Al'ays want to make a mountain out ov a mole hill." 

One of those fusspots.

404. 

 "Well! See'en es b'lieven I've heeard 'fore now."

Not easily convinced.

405.  

"I'll tell'ee what... she be'n a bit,tote'len a long time."

Losing her memory.

406.

"Very fond ov blowin' ees own trumpet." 

A boastful fellow.

407. 

"Hold'en on to'en like grim-death." 

Dare not let go.

408. 

"May as well enjoy et while you're 'ere, 'cause you cain't taken weth ee." 

mot to leave it behind when you die.

409

"Nothin' but time an' labour throwed 'way I call et."

Wasted effort

410

"Tha's what I do call labour-in-vain."

Wasted effort.

411

"Bless my deear life an' saul!... wa't do'st ee think ob'n, ee went an' got married on the quiet like."

A quiet wedding presumably.

412

"Time an' patience will wear out stone posses I've heeard 'fore now."

A case of patience being a virtue. posses = stone gate posts.

413

"^I'^ll collar ee 'bout et first chance I git."

Question him about it.

414

"And that' never breathed a word 'bout et to.me."

Not informed.

415

"I aren't gain' to be no lap-lolly fer they."

Not going to do the dirty work.

416

"She's a bit hoity-toity when she've a mind to be."

Consider herself of high degree.

417

"Never drearn't I shu'd seen a'gen."

Thought it was lost.

418

"Ee've seen a braa many summers... ee's no spring chicken I can tell'ee."

Older than he admits.

419

"I fancy I can smill somethin' scroachen! Can you?"

Something smouldering.

420

"I wain't 'ave no more ov them, I be'n took in wance too off'en weth ee."

Not being caught again.

421

"Iss! the weather es very catchy fer the 'arvest."

Not good harvesting weather

422

"Ee made a mint ov money scratch'en them of borras over."

Did rather well picking over old mine dumps.

423

"She do come in 'ere wance in a while, off an' on like a thing."

Very infrequent.

424

"Be'n an' fell 'ead over 'eels fer a maid up Sancrus, cain't blame um 'spose."

Met a girl from Sancreed.

425

"I cau't ee pinchin' my black-curran's."

Stealing black-currants.

426

 "Ees for ever tinker'en 'round weth that moty-car."

Tinkering around with his motor-car.

427

 "Time to stir my stumps, ain't done nothin' fer the day yet."

Been taking things easy

428.

 "Tho't I shu'd crack my sides laughin' at the way ee carr'd on."

Something of a comic apparently.

429

"Ee went furr'en, an' I never heeard tell ov 'im no more from that day to this."

Ceased to correspond when he went foreign.

430

"Ee's in et hot an' heavy, but ee'll burn ees fingers wan day."

Get caught at some mysterious business.

431.

"Gab'boy you."

Good for you, boy

432.

 "Got the gift ov the gab alright."

Talking ceaselessly.

433.

 "Iss!_.well! ee^ls only geese'en."

Only guessing at it.

434.

"You cud ^lave knack't me down weth a feather w'en I heeard."

Very surprised.

435.

 "Must ^'ave gaut a bit ov a kink I sh'ud think."

Brain likely affected.

436

 "She edn't 'ave'en all her own way t'all."

Not to have everything her own way.

437.

"She's a braa passionate li'l beagle."

Temper soon rises.

438

"Do ee remember the artill'ry 'ave'en shoot'en practice down Carn Gloose... must be sebenty 'ears ago now."

439

 "Go'os 'way weth ee, that be'n theeare ever sence I can mind."

Not put there yesterday.

440

 "Ees alright now ees be'n an' feathered ees own nest."

Made things secure, money-wise.

441 

 " Tryin' to make a crust ov bread of I can."

A hard struggle.

442.

"How far more es ah?" "Why we're touch'en um nearly."

Not far now

443.

"That'll take sum gitt'en that will."

Difficult to get that amount.

444.

 "^yes a stinken lout goin' 'bout, wain't work when ee can."

The dole is preferable perhaps.

445.

 "Hmm! the guckoo es in the higher garden today."

sarcasm for an unfriendly neighbour, singing in her garden.

446

 "Ee was a braa pur'ty bass singer in es day, ee cud go down sum low."

447.

 "And of Jan Toman was proper fer pitch'en a tune."

448.

 "Don't 'ave no revival mitt ens now, used to be shoutin' Aaa-men an' Alle-lu-jah, an' jumpin' over the seats, sum life."

449

 "Well! we 'ad''ard times when we was comin' up, but we gaut over et too."

450

 "Gone 'ave a cup ov tay an' gone straight over steers to bed."

So'long, see ee 'gen wan day!