How much the author is indebted to the previous industry of others is shewn by the number of the footnotes, and other references in the text, which together amount to close upon five hundred. Others have laboured and he has entered into their labours, and his object, in this, as it were, post-prandial utterance, is to own, with gratitude, the varied viands—epulæ lautissimæ—which he has found spread before him. He would say, with Cicero, opipare epulati sumus; and yet there are many baskets of fragments left.
He would also here express his thanks for the unvaried kindness with which his personal visits, in search of local information, have been welcomed; for the helpful response always made to his enquiries; as well as for the sympathy shewn towards his undertaking. But for these the work could not have attained its present dimensions, nor could much of its most interesting matter have been obtained; while, further they have made the work a task of real pleasure to himself. He can only say, in conclusion that if others should find, in the perusal of these pages, even a tithe of the entertainment which he has himself found in the compilation of them, he will be more than satisfied—gratified—by the result.
A GLOSSARY OF LINCOLNSHIRE WORDS & PHASES.
Argufy. To matter, be of importance. “It does not argufy at all,” i.e. “It does not signify,” or “It makes no difference.”
Bab. A sort of dredge, with hooks below it, to clear out fen drains of the weeds.
Bage. A paring of turf formerly used for fuel.
Bandy-ball. The game of hockey, also called shinty or shindy.
Banker. A navvy employed in digging or repairing fen drains.
Bat. A small bundle of straw or grass.
Battle-twig. An earwig.