VERMONT-L Archives

Archiver > VERMONT > 1999-05 > 0925582736


From: "Jackie M. Botala" <>
Subject: [VERMONT-L] more old papers...
Date: Sat, 1 May 1999 11:18:56 -0700


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Roily water--muddy water
The room is roiled up--dirty, in a mess
Grindy--dirty
Gone by --past, dead
Tunket or junket--dance, good time, party
Shunpike--poor road
>From stem to gudgeon--From begining to end
Scape up an aqauintance
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Slipper toe--no account

old pelter--old tarter

Homely enough to stop a down train.

Homely as a hedge fence.

Homely as hell is wicked.

As busy as a man on the town.

I've trotted around all day in a bushel.

I don't know enough to pound sand down a rat hole.

Don't know enough to pour water out of a boot.

Some find the future "darker 'n a wolf's mouth", "Blacker 'n
a stack of black cats", "dark as a pocket".

I feel bluer 'n a whetstone.

I'm fixing for a spell of sickness.

I'm enjoying poor health.

He doesn't need it anymore than a pig needs a wallet.

He has no more use for it than for water in his boots.

He doesn't need it anymore than a dog needs two tails.

Her looks as if it had worn out two bodies.

He is looking for salt pork and sundown.

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Words and Phrases

A common expression to caution children who are misbe-
having is "to straighten out".
A local fugative was found living in the woods "chucking the
old deer meat to his hide."
Due to Vermonts unpredictable weather, Vermont farmers
say, "Never look up while haying."

(Contributed by Phyllis Roberts)

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Feb. 14, 1786

Then reckoned with Mr. Isaac Webster and all accounts
even from the begining of world to this day.
Witness our hands
Amos Page
Isaac Webster

(contributed by Sara E. Marsh, Waterville. Copied from an
old account book.)
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Some people will cry poor on a full stomache.

(contributed by Claire Goodere, Vergennnes)
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He's a great big fellow, built like a ship with all sails set.

(contributed by Jeanette Pyle, Burlington. From Mrs. Charles
Russell, Vergennes)
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Today is hotter than a puppies nest.

(Contributed by Dorcas Hadwen, Bennington)
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Pod auger lawyer--one who is behind the times and oldfasshioned.

Tighter than the bark to a tree.

As unhandy as a hoop skirt.

Squeeze the dollar 'till the eagle squeaks.

Poorer than Job's turkey.

As fat as a hog.

As poor as a crow.

Deader than hay.

Slower than cold molasses in the wintertime.

As lively as a mouse.

As honest as Moses.

Colder than ice.

As contrary as a hog on ice.

(COntributed by Hattie Little, Monkton)

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