A S U S S E X
A D I C T I O N A RY O F T H E S U S S E X D I A L E C T
Parish’s Sussex word-hoard. Find out what aumry means; and bozzler, camsteery, dwairs, ellynge, gazel,
The Reverend W. D. Parish was the vicar of Selmeston; although not a great deal is known about him, he seemed to be more interested in lexicography than soul-saving, noting down Sussex usage from old plays and even the smugglers who stored contraband in the church crypt.
Never be lost for words in Sussex again.
A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
S ELMESTON
‘Lexicographer: A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.’ SAMUEL JOHNSON
SNAKE RIVER BOOKS
1 8 75
PA R I S H
Although born in Surrey, Lynne Truss has impeccable Sussex credentials, as she is a longtime Brighton resident, is on the board of the Charleston Trust, is a Patron of the Asham Trust, has an honorary degree from the University of Brighton and has written a critical introduction to Cold Comfort Farm, Sussex’s literary classic. As the author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, she is the ideal person to introduce us to the world of the Reverend W.D. Parish.
tom-bacca, unked, vlothered, whiffle and yoyster.
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
LY N N E T R U S S
hogo, jaunce, keblock, lapsy, mizmaze, noration, ox-tights, pettigues, quotted, rave-cart, slocksey,
A SUSSEX GUIDE
Strap on your backstays and plunge into the Reverend
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H
G U I D E
A DI CTI ONARY O F
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
THE SUSSEX D I ALE CT A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
1 8 75
S ELMESTON
Written and compiled by The Reverend W.D. Parish, vicar of Selmeston, the Dictionary is a fascinating insight into how we might have sounded nearly 150 years ago. A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collection of Provincialisms in Use in the County of Sussex was first published in 1875. An edition of this seminal Sussex work was brought out 50 years ago, with additions and expansions by one Helena Hall. Snake River Press is now going back to basics and offering an exciting new facsimile version of the Reverend Parish’s original, unexpurgated work, with an introduction by Lynne Truss. With the scourge of the misplaced apostrophe as our cultural guide, we can’t go wrong and, who knows, we may even be able to revive a few authentic Sussexisms.
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H INTRODUCED BY
LY N N E T R U S S
BOOKS ABOUT SUSSEX FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
Snake River Press publishes books about
the art, culture, personalities and landscape of Sussex. Snake River books are available by mail order or from bookshops. You can order safely online through our website: www.snakeriverpress.co.uk. If you prefer buying offline you can contact us by email: sales@snakeriverpress.co.uk
SNAKE RIVER PRESS
SNAKE RIVER PRESS
www.snakeriverpress.co.uk
£8.99
The Sussex Dialect-pt 1:Layout 1
30/10/07
19:56
Page 2
(Black plate)
The Sussex Dialect-pt 1:Layout 1
30/10/07
19:56
Page 3
A D I C T ION A RY OF
THE SUS S E X D IALE CT T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX 1 8 75 S ELMESTON
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
INTRODUCED BY
LY N N E T R U S S
SNAKE RIVER PRESS
(Black plate)
The Sussex Dialect-pt 1:Layout 1
30/10/07
19:56
Page 4
SNAKE RIVER PRESS Book No 16 Books about Sussex for the enthusiast Published in 2008 by SNAKE RIVER PRESS South DownsWay,Alfriston, Sussex BN26 5XW www.snakeriverpress.co.uk
ISBN 978-1-906022-15-0 This book was conceived, designed and produced by SNAKE RIVER PRESS Copyright Š Snake River Press Limited 2008 Text ŠThe ReverendW. D. Parish & LynneTruss All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publishers and authors have done their best to ensure the accuracy and currency of all information at the date of preparation. Readers who intend to rely on the information to undertake any activity should check the current accuracy.The publishers and authors accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by the reader as a result of information or advice contained in this book. Art Director & Publisher Peter Bridgewater Editorial Director Viv Croot Editor RobYarham Page makeup Richard Constable & Chris Morris Consultant Lorraine Harrison This book is typeset in Perpetua & Gill Sans, two fonts designed by Eric Gill Printed and bound in China
D E D I C AT I O N
To my dear friends at Much Ado Books in Alfriston
(Black plate)
The Sussex Dialect-pt 1:Layout 1
30/10/07
19:56
Page 5
CONTENTS
A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX 1 8 75 S ELMESTON
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
PA R T
OF
O N E
INTRODUCTION BY
LY N N E T RU S S 6
! PA R T
T W O
A D I C T I O N A RY OF THE
SUSSEX DIALECT AND
C O L L E C T I O N O F P ROV I N C I A L I S M S IN USE IN THE
COUNTY OF SUSSEX BY
R E V. W. D . P A R I S H VICAR OF SELMESTON, SUSSEX
17
(Black plate)
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 23
30/10/07 20:01:51
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 24
30/10/07 20:01:52
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 33
30/10/07 20:02:2
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 34
30/10/07 20:02:5
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 35
30/10/07 20:02:6
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 36
30/10/07 20:02:7
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 37
30/10/07 20:02:8
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 38
30/10/07 20:02:10
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 39
30/10/07 20:02:11
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 40
30/10/07 20:02:13
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 163
30/10/07 20:04:57
The Sussex Dialect-pt 2.indd 164
30/10/07 20:04:58
A S U S S E X
A D I C T I O N A RY O F T H E S U S S E X D I A L E C T
Parish’s Sussex word-hoard. Find out what aumry means; and bozzler, camsteery, dwairs, ellynge, gazel,
The Reverend W. D. Parish was the vicar of Selmeston; although not a great deal is known about him, he seemed to be more interested in lexicography than soul-saving, noting down Sussex usage from old plays and even the smugglers who stored contraband in the church crypt.
Never be lost for words in Sussex again.
A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
S ELMESTON
‘Lexicographer: A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.’ SAMUEL JOHNSON
SNAKE RIVER BOOKS
1 8 75
PA R I S H
Although born in Surrey, Lynne Truss has impeccable Sussex credentials, as she is a longtime Brighton resident, is on the board of the Charleston Trust, is a Patron of the Asham Trust, has an honorary degree from the University of Brighton and has written a critical introduction to Cold Comfort Farm, Sussex’s literary classic. As the author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, she is the ideal person to introduce us to the world of the Reverend W.D. Parish.
tom-bacca, unked, vlothered, whiffle and yoyster.
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
LY N N E T R U S S
hogo, jaunce, keblock, lapsy, mizmaze, noration, ox-tights, pettigues, quotted, rave-cart, slocksey,
A SUSSEX GUIDE
Strap on your backstays and plunge into the Reverend
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H
G U I D E
A DI CTI ONARY O F
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
THE SUSSEX D I ALE CT A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
1 8 75
S ELMESTON
Written and compiled by The Reverend W.D. Parish, vicar of Selmeston, the Dictionary is a fascinating insight into how we might have sounded nearly 150 years ago. A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collection of Provincialisms in Use in the County of Sussex was first published in 1875. An edition of this seminal Sussex work was brought out 50 years ago, with additions and expansions by one Helena Hall. Snake River Press is now going back to basics and offering an exciting new facsimile version of the Reverend Parish’s original, unexpurgated work, with an introduction by Lynne Truss. With the scourge of the misplaced apostrophe as our cultural guide, we can’t go wrong and, who knows, we may even be able to revive a few authentic Sussexisms.
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H INTRODUCED BY
LY N N E T R U S S
BOOKS ABOUT SUSSEX FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
Snake River Press publishes books about
the art, culture, personalities and landscape of Sussex. Snake River books are available by mail order or from bookshops. You can order safely online through our website: www.snakeriverpress.co.uk. If you prefer buying offline you can contact us by email: sales@snakeriverpress.co.uk
SNAKE RIVER PRESS
SNAKE RIVER PRESS
www.snakeriverpress.co.uk
£8.99