A Glossary of Words used in the Country of Wiltshire

by George Edward Dartnell; E. H. Goddard

Nine-holes. A game played by children.—N.W.

'This is mentioned among the "illegal games" in the Castle Combe records.'—Wilts Arch. Mag. vol. iii. p. 156.

'1576. Lusum illicitum vocatum nyne holes.'—Scrope's History of Castle Combe.

Nineter. (1) 'A nineter young rascal,' a regular scamp. Not perverted from anoint (as if it meant set apart to evil courses and an evil end), but from Fr. anoienté, anéanti, brought to nothing, worthless (Folk-Etymology, p. 9).—N.W. (Seend.) *(2) A skinflint (S.).

Ninny-hammer. A fool, a silly person.—N.W.

'Nint. See Anoint.

'Ninting (i long). A beating. See Anoint.—N.W.

Nipper. A small boy (S.).—N. & S.W.

Nippers. The same as Grab-hook.—N.W. (Huish.)

Nippy. Stingy (S.).—N. & S.W.