Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian


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Geezers and Sheezers

GEEZERS and SHEEZERS

In Britain, old men

are called Geezers, wives Sheezers

Isn’t that funny?

 

 


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Unusual U.K. Place names 58. – Awre

AWRE, Gloucestershire

Name from Old English

meaning sour water meadow

Cows had long faces

 


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Obscure words explained 75. – Murine

MURINE

I can smell a rat

Maybe it’s Chinese new year

Or, is that a mouse?


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Obscure words explained 72. – oneiric

ONEIRIC

Relating to dreams.

Greek Oneiros, God of dreams.

See you as I sleep!


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Hogmanay

Lang may your lum reek

First-footing New Year greeting.

Wi’ other folks coal.

Note: Tradition in Scotland says that good fortune will come to you by the first visitor after midnight at New Year. The visitor should be a tall, dark and handsome stranger bearing a gift for the family. A small lump of  coal.

Translation: Long may your chimney smoke/smell (i.e.) have a fire for warmth; all the better with other people’s coal.

 

 


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Obscure words explained 70. – gawsy

GAWSY

Well-dressed and cheerful

young man, out seeking a wife

meets a gawsy girl

 


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Obscure words explained 69. – shilly shally

SHILLY SHALLY

What is to be done

I am vacillitating

I can not decide