14 ([return])
[ To put him up—to put him in gaol.]
15 ([return])
[ My little potatoes—Thady does not mean, by this expression, that his potatoes were less than other people’s, or less than the usual size—little is here used only as an Italian diminutive, expressive of fondness.]
16 ([return])
[ Kith and kin—family or relations. Kin from kind; kith from we know not what.]
17 ([return])
[ Wigs were formerly used instead of brooms in Ireland, for sweeping or dusting tables, stairs, &c. The Editor doubted the fact, till he saw a labourer of the old school sweep down a flight of stairs with his wig; he afterwards put it on his head again with the utmost composure, and said, “Oh, please your honour, it’s never a bit the worse.”
It must be acknowledged, that these men are not in any danger of catching cold by taking off their wigs occasionally, because they usually have fine crops of hair growing under their wigs. The wigs are often yellow, and the hair which appears from beneath them black; the wigs are usually too small, and are raised up by the hair beneath, or by the ears of the wearers.]
18 ([return])
[ A wake in England is a meeting avowedly for merriment; in Ireland it is a nocturnal meeting avowedly for the purpose of watching and bewailing the dead; but, in reality, for gossiping and debauchery. See Glossary [C2].]