NOTES.
“They may throw light on the meaning of other words, of the relationship of languages, or even on history itself.”
James Russell Lowell.
Note 1.—ALLAY.
The contention of several competent critics that this is but a form of “Ah’lay,” or “Ah’ll lay,” was met by another from those intimately associated with the dialect, and who only recognise one word in actual use, and that with more of the sense of assurance or support, than of defiance or daring conveyed in it. The vernacular form of the sporting phrase “Ah’ll lay” is “Ah’ll lig.”
Note 2.—APODE.
Said to be only a form of uphold, uphod, uphoad, and as such should be so spelt. On the other hand it is held by dialect speakers that apode is nearer the true pronunciation. A native of North Westmorland would say of a contentious person, “he can uphod his awn,” another would reply “Aye, Ah’ll apode it.” Of a great eater it would be remarked, “he’s at a ter’ble gurt uphod,” and for answer would get “Ah’ll apode it he is.” The uphod of one may be his parish; of an institution or establishment it is said to be great or small; and one may be the uphod of many things, in this sense apode can be claimed to have a distinct use.
Note 3.—CANTLAX.
Many words in this collection are said by eminent authorities to be mere fabrications—that is, they are made up words by those using them and have no derivation, history, or standing. This may be of that class. It is included, because to the compiler it appears to be one of a numerous family that carry with them the impression they are intended to, directly and in the tone in which they are used. No information has been obtainable beyond the fact that the word was used in one or two instances by genuine Lakelanders, of whose dialect no question could be raised.