A Glossary of Words used in the Country of Wiltshire

by George Edward Dartnell; E. H. Goddard

Vulver. See Velt.

W. Often not sounded at the beginning of a word. Thus want, a mole, becomes 'oont, and within and without are usually athin and athout.

Waddle up. To wrap up with an excess of clumsily arranged clothing; usually applied to infants.—N.W.

Wag. (1) 'To wag the Church bells,' to set them ringing. Also used of tolling the bell for a funeral.—N. & S.W. (2) To move (S.). 'I be that bad I can't scarce wag.'—N. & S.W. (3) In carrying, the boy who stands at the horses' heads, to move them forward as required, is said to 'wag hoss,' and the order given is 'wag on!'—N.W.

Waggon. The various parts of a waggon in N. Wilts bear the following names:—the bottom is the Waggon-bed. The transverse pieces which support this over the Exes (axles) are the Pillars, Peel (A.). The longitudinal pieces on each side on which the sides rest are the Waggon-blades. The similar pieces under the centre of the bed are the Bed-summers. The cross piece at the back into which the Tail-board hooks is the Shetlock or Shutleck. The Tail Pole joins the front and hind wheels together underneath. The Hound is the fore-carriage over the front wheels. The Slide is the cross-bar on the tail of the 'Hound.' The Dripple is the strip running along the top of the side of the waggon from which over the hind wheels project the Waggon-hoops, and over the front wheels the Raves. The shafts are the Dills or Thills. The Parters are detached pieces of wood at the side, joining the 'Dripple' to the 'Bed.' The Thorough-pin is the pin which fastens the 'Waggon-bed' to the 'Carriage.' Also see Arms, Hoops, Overlayer, Sharps, Draughts, Limbers, Strouter, Ridge-tie, Blades, and Spances.

Wagtails. Briza media, L., Quaking Grass.—N. & S.W.

Wag-wants. Briza media, L., Quaking Grass (S.). Also Weg-wants, Wig-wants, Wing-Wang, and Wagtails.—N. & S.W.

Wake. (1) n. The raked-up line (broader than a hatch or wallow) of hay before it is made up into pooks (Wild Life, ch. vii).—N.W. (2) v. To rake hay into wakes (D.).—N.W.

Wake-at-noon. Ornithogalum umbellatum, L., Star of Bethlehem.—N.W.