Notes and Queries, Number 52, October 26, 1850 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

by Various

"Away! you talk like a foolish mauther"—

says Restive to Dame Pliant in Ben Jonson. Alchemist, IV. 7. So Richard says to Kate, in Bloomfield's Suffolk ballad:—

"When once a giggling mawther you,

And I a red-faced chubby boy."—Rural Tales, 1802, p. 5.

Perhaps it is derived from the German

Gotsch.—A jug or pitcher with one ear or handle. Forby thinks it may be derived from the Italian gozzo, a throat.

Holl.—From the Saxon holh. German

Anan! = How! what say you? Perhaps an invitation to come near, in order to be better heard, from the Saxon nean, near. Vid. Brockett's,—Jennings, and Wilbraham's Chesh. Glossaries.