[13] Pitmen are paid fortnightly on the Friday: the following day is ‘pay-Saturday.’ Non-pay-Saturday is known as ‘baff-Saturday,’ the derivation of which no man knows to this day.
[14] It is said that at the time of the Napoleonic wars some French prisoners were detained in custody in the pit country not far from Durham City. It would appear that some intercourse between the inhabitants of the place and the foreigners sprang up, which resulted in the addition of one expressive phrase, at least, to the local dialect, that, namely, of ‘Caleb Jay’ for ‘Quel objêt!’ due to their strange garb, probably, or tattered appearance. The phrase is now wholly obsolete, the writer believes, but it is said it was once actually in use.
[15] Wood-pigeon.
[16] The Northumbrian for ‘encore.’
[17] ‘Mugger’ = beggar; literally, one who sells mugs.
[18] Abusing.
[19] Mr. Brockett died in 1842.
[20] The Northumberland Plate.
[21] ‘Article 5.—No shares shall be dealt in below their face value except with the consent of the Board of Directors.’
[22] The author understands that this is the case in regard to some of the livings in the gift of Greenwich Hospital.