A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collection of Provincialisms in Use in the County of Sussex

by William Douglas Parish

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1875 edition. Excerpt: ...up the weazles, stoats and vermin which he kills. Larder, m. Corruption of Ladder. "Master's got a lodge down on the land yonder, and as I was going across totherday-morning to fetch a larder we keeps there, a lawyer catched holt 'an me and scratched my face." Lash, m. To get into a passion. "He makes me lash and swear otherwhile when he be so lapsy; soonasever I'm backturned he's off after the birdsnestes, or up to some game or another." Last, e. A last of herrings is ten thousand. Last, e. A court of twenty-four jurats who levy rates for keeping up the marshes. Lasus. A water meadow. Lats. Latta, Ang. Sax. Laths. Lattin, W. Plate-tin. Spelt lattyn in an inventory dated 1549, but in that year people spelt as they pleased. Laurence. A mysterious individual whose influence is supposed to produce indolence. "Old Laurence has got hold of me" means "I have got a fit of idleness." Lavant, W. Lafian, Ang. Sax., to sprinkle with water; or, Laver, French, to wash. A violent flow of water. "How it did rain! It ran down the street in a lavant." Lawyer, e. A long bramble full of thorns, so called because, "When once they gets a holt an ye, ye ddant easy get shut of 'em." Lay, m; or Ley. Leag, Ang. Sax. Land laid down for pasture; not permanently, but to be broken up every three or four years. Laylock, m. The lilac tree. Lay-up, m. To hide and lie in wait for any one. Lean, m. Unprofitable. "Ah, sir! stone-breaking's a lean job for those that aint used to it." Lean-to, m. A shed constructed against the side of another building. Leap, e. Leap, Ang. Sax., a basket for catching fish. A large deep basket. Leap, e. Half-a-bushel. (See Seed-leap.) Lear. Thin; hungry; faint. Learn. To...

48 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

William Douglas Parish (1833-1904)

Reviews

[Forked Radish]

Some of those who’ve used Sussex dialect in their writing: Shakspeare, Thomas Gray, Hardy, James Wight (Herriot), and Rowling.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of wider research for my own book on Sussex dialect. A sparkling little collection of old Sussex words, traditions and anecdotes, interesting for scholars and locals alike.