1 : Under Sail
The modern vessels on the Broads, for recreational
and sporting purposes, have not directly contibuted to,
or been much influenced by, the Norfolk dialect.There were always trading wherries, but these
navigated the rivers; not the Broads as such.
The white quadrants painted on their bows
were called noosin(g)s [nose].
They were, when the wind was unfavourable,
pushed along by quan(t) poles - a longer and
heavier version of those used by punts.
To quan(t) is to do the requisite pushing;
walking along the narrow deck, or plankway.
Punts [no sails!], the older form of broads travel,
had poles, being also known as spri(t)s. Beware of the marshy borders of rivers and broads,
with beds of reeds and rushes which are called ronds;
and the floating masses of water-weeds etc. which
are hover. Special rond-anchors are employed.
Marsh is a word rendered in these parts
as mash or mesh. Rushes are called seggs (cf. sedge);
bullrushes are bolders. Occasionally there might be a dam in place -
in the dialect a stank or stanch (cf. staunch).
When sailing, there can be more need to scan the
heavens : for "Noah's Arms" (cumulus clouds) or
- more worryingly -
beeskeps or "Norwegian Bishops" (thunder-clouds).
These may give rise to miniature whirlwinds or rogers. A haze around the moon is often a sign of bad weather
on the way. Users of metal tools etc. will not be
surprised that this haze is called a burr in Norfolk.
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2 : Under Water
Fishing has, earlier, been more of a livelihood
than a sport.
Babbin(g) is the name for eel-fishing,
using worms attached to lengths of wool.
Eels can also be caught using a basket-trap,
known as a hive; or with nets, known as pods or bosoms.The squirming of eels is said to be
skrigglin' (to skriggle).
So, if all the above methods fail,
use a pick or pritch (prick)
i.e. an eel-gaff with three flat prongs (a trident!)
A ligger is an item of fishing-tackle, which may be
used for eels, or for catching pike; which floats
(ligs?) on the water.
Lin(t)s are fishing-nets, but whether for inland use
or sea-fishing is problematical.
The Broads don't often freeze-over, although this is
very much more likely than either the rivers or
the sea doing so.
When they are hard-frozen (frawn)
they are said to be laid. Fenland skaters would know of pa(tt)ens (skates with
upturned blades at the front). A sledge is a slade.
The fair number of expressions for "thawing"
seems to demonstrate a keen interest in any
freeze-up being short-lived.
As we may know, to thaw is to thow, in these parts.
The past tense is thew. Oovergive (similarly forgive) are other words for relenting ice.
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