[Midland (Group 1): Lincoln.]
I here give a few quotations from the Glossary of Words used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham, Lincolnshire, by E. Peacock, F.S.A.; 2nd ed., E.D.S., 1889. The illustrative sentences are very characteristic.
Beal, to bellow.—Th’ bairn beäled oot that bad, I was clëan scar’d, but it was at noht bud a battle-twig ’at hed crohlëd up’n his airm. (Battle-twig, earwig; airm, arm.)
Cart, to get into, to get into a bad temper.—Na, noo, thoo neädn’t get into th’ cart, for I weän’t draw thee.
Cauf, a calf, silly fellow.—A gentleman was enlarging to a Winterton lad on the virtues of Spanish juice [liquorice water]. “Ah, then, ye’ll ha’ been to th’ mines, wheäre thaay gets it,” the boy exclaimed; whereupon the mother broke in with—“A greät cauf! Duz he think ’at thaay dig it oot o’ th’ grund, saäme as thaay do sugar?”
Chess, a tier.—I’ve been tell’d that e’ plaaces wheäre thaay graw silk-worms, thaay keäps ’em on traays, chess aboon chess, like cheney i’ a cupboard. (E’ in; cheney, china.)
Clammer, to climb.—Oor Uriah’s clammered into th’ parson’s cherry-tree, muther, an’ he is swalla’in on ’em aboon a bit. I shouldn’t ha tell’d ye nobbut he weänt chuck me ony doon. (Nobbut, only.)
Cottoner, something very striking.—Th’ bairn hed been e’ mischief all daay thrif; at last, when I was sidin’ awaay th’ teä- things, what duz he do but tum’le i’to th’ well. So, says I, Well, this is a cottoner; we shall hev to send for Mr Iveson (the coroner) noo, I reckon. (Thrif, through; sidin’ awaay, putting away.)
Ducks.—A girl said to the author, of a woman with whom she had been living for a short time as servant, “I’d raather be nibbled to deäd wi’ ducks then live with Miss P. She’s alus a natterin’.” (Deäd, death; alus, always; natterin’, nagging.)
Good mind, strong intention.—She said she’d a good mind to hing her-sen, soä I ax’d if I mud send for Mr Holgate (the coroner), to be ready like. (Hing, hang; mud, might.)