Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/77

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
58
berkshire words.

CARPIN'.—Fault finding.

CARROTTY PAWLE.—A red-haired person.

CAS'NT.—Can'st thou not?

CASTLES.—A game at marbles where each boy makes a small pyramid of three as a base, and one on the top; they aim at these from a distant stroke with balsers winning such of the castles as they may in turn knock down.

CAT IN PAN.—One who changes sides for selfish reasons. In the old song, "The Vicar of Bray," we have:—

"When William our Deliverer came
To heal the nation's grievance,
Then I turned Cat in Pan again
And swore to him allegiance."

CAT OUT O' THE BAG.—Letting the "cat out o' the bag" is the making known something that has been kept secret.

CATS CRAAYDLE.—A game played by means of string across the fingers of the two hands. The players have to take the string from each other under different arrangements, without making any mistake.

CATTLE.—Hurry; confusion. Vide Caddle.

CA-UV-IN, or CAAYVIN.—Chaff and short straw, as collected from a barn-floor after threshing.

CAW, also CAWNEY.—A very stupid fellow, almost an idiot.

CAWLD-COMFORT.—Cold words or deeds, making one's troubles appear greater.

CESS TO 'T.—Used to encourage a dog to eat anything.

CHAAIR, or CHEER.—A chair.

CHAAYKE.—Chalk.

CHAAYNGES.—Shirts and under-clothing generally.

CHACKLIN'.—A noise made by a hen after laying an egg.

I yeard 'un a-chacklin' zo a mus' hev a ne-ust zome 'er yer."

CHAFF-CUTTER.—The machine for cutting straw into short lengths for use as chaff.

CHALKERS.—Boys' marbles held in the lowest estimation, being made of chalk or of chalk and clay mixed; those next above these in value are called "stoners."