kenticisms
@kenticisms.bsky.social
Research into the past and present dialect, accent, proverbs and sayings of Kent. With some Kentish folklore and customs for added interest.
kenticisms will be taking a summer break. I have not been able to interact with this account in the way I would wish as I'm busy with other projects. Hopefully I can return to the account with more time and attention in a few months.
June 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
kenticisms will be taking a summer break. I have not been able to interact with this account in the way I would wish as I'm busy with other projects. Hopefully I can return to the account with more time and attention in a few months.
The TONGUE was the projecting part of the COW or COWL of an OAST, which caused it to turn round when acted on by the wind.
June 6, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The TONGUE was the projecting part of the COW or COWL of an OAST, which caused it to turn round when acted on by the wind.
I came across a word in a 1960s Kent newspaper, which I hadn't seen before. TANT or TANTED meant 'faint, fainted' or sometimes 'tantrum'.
June 5, 2025 at 6:01 AM
I came across a word in a 1960s Kent newspaper, which I hadn't seen before. TANT or TANTED meant 'faint, fainted' or sometimes 'tantrum'.
An old bicycle might have been known as a GRID IRON, GRIT IRON, OLD GRID, OLD GRIT or a RATTLE-TRAP. Said to be from likening an old rickety cycle to a griddle-iron, used in cooking over open fire, meaning that one might get along riding on a griddle-iron just as well and as comfortably.
June 4, 2025 at 6:01 AM
An old bicycle might have been known as a GRID IRON, GRIT IRON, OLD GRID, OLD GRIT or a RATTLE-TRAP. Said to be from likening an old rickety cycle to a griddle-iron, used in cooking over open fire, meaning that one might get along riding on a griddle-iron just as well and as comfortably.
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect says that a short man might have been referred to as ONE OF KING JOHN'S MEN.
"He's one of King John's men, six score to the hundred."
Six score, 120, was the old hundred, or long-hundred.
"He's one of King John's men, six score to the hundred."
Six score, 120, was the old hundred, or long-hundred.
June 3, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect says that a short man might have been referred to as ONE OF KING JOHN'S MEN.
"He's one of King John's men, six score to the hundred."
Six score, 120, was the old hundred, or long-hundred.
"He's one of King John's men, six score to the hundred."
Six score, 120, was the old hundred, or long-hundred.
Nicholas Wood (c1585-1630), the GREAT EATER OF KENT was born in Hollingbourne before becoming a farmer in Harrietsham. John Taylor wrote a small book detailing his feats, including "..did eat a whole sheep, of 16 shillings price, and raw at that, at one meal. Another time he eat 30 dozen of pigeons"
![Details from the front page of an old book written by John Taylor reading; To the Most Famous, Infamous, High and Mighty Feeder, Nicholas Wood, Great and Grand Gurmandizer of Harrisom [Harrietsham] in the County of Kent.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:debhak7qjrboc74gbhosc5e6/bafkreig4j7jcfhfp7e7f2cc2xokwemzarp5rijivwpyvkirzi64nfpfwam@jpeg)
June 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Nicholas Wood (c1585-1630), the GREAT EATER OF KENT was born in Hollingbourne before becoming a farmer in Harrietsham. John Taylor wrote a small book detailing his feats, including "..did eat a whole sheep, of 16 shillings price, and raw at that, at one meal. Another time he eat 30 dozen of pigeons"
The Field Naturalist (1833) says that the willow warbler also known as the willow wren "are partial to some kinds of fruit, but they will not touch cherries, although they are very commonly known in many parts of Kent and Surrey by the provincial name CHERRY CHOPPERS.
May 30, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The Field Naturalist (1833) says that the willow warbler also known as the willow wren "are partial to some kinds of fruit, but they will not touch cherries, although they are very commonly known in many parts of Kent and Surrey by the provincial name CHERRY CHOPPERS.
First published in The Kentish Gazette in 1771 "The Chathamites" paints a very unflattering portrait of 18C Chatham
Starting with the town's uniqueness before denigrating the locals morals, religions and military, finally a comparison to other Medway Towns, here are the first & last couple of verses
Starting with the town's uniqueness before denigrating the locals morals, religions and military, finally a comparison to other Medway Towns, here are the first & last couple of verses
May 29, 2025 at 6:01 AM
First published in The Kentish Gazette in 1771 "The Chathamites" paints a very unflattering portrait of 18C Chatham
Starting with the town's uniqueness before denigrating the locals morals, religions and military, finally a comparison to other Medway Towns, here are the first & last couple of verses
Starting with the town's uniqueness before denigrating the locals morals, religions and military, finally a comparison to other Medway Towns, here are the first & last couple of verses
Fred Sanders of Chatham was a great collector and recorder of Kent dialect in the middle of the last century. When he wrote to the Kentish Express in 1957on the subject of UFOs he felt compelled to throw in some Kentish dialect; "There bi'-ant no such queer things as floi-ing sarcers!"
May 28, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Fred Sanders of Chatham was a great collector and recorder of Kent dialect in the middle of the last century. When he wrote to the Kentish Express in 1957on the subject of UFOs he felt compelled to throw in some Kentish dialect; "There bi'-ant no such queer things as floi-ing sarcers!"
In Kentish dialect CHOG seems to have been used for a number of different things, from an apple core to a lump of rough wood. Also in hop cultivation a CHOG was a grubbed-out hop hill and CHOGS were the cuttings of the hop plants when the plants were dressed in the spring.
May 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
In Kentish dialect CHOG seems to have been used for a number of different things, from an apple core to a lump of rough wood. Also in hop cultivation a CHOG was a grubbed-out hop hill and CHOGS were the cuttings of the hop plants when the plants were dressed in the spring.
An old rhyme is taken to indicate Kentish miles were longer than the statute mile;
Essex stiles, Kentish miles,
Norfolk wiles, many men beguiles
One theory was the bad state of Kentish roads meant miles seemed longer for travellers. However Notes & Queries (1895) suggests Kentish miles were longer;
Essex stiles, Kentish miles,
Norfolk wiles, many men beguiles
One theory was the bad state of Kentish roads meant miles seemed longer for travellers. However Notes & Queries (1895) suggests Kentish miles were longer;
May 26, 2025 at 6:01 AM
An old rhyme is taken to indicate Kentish miles were longer than the statute mile;
Essex stiles, Kentish miles,
Norfolk wiles, many men beguiles
One theory was the bad state of Kentish roads meant miles seemed longer for travellers. However Notes & Queries (1895) suggests Kentish miles were longer;
Essex stiles, Kentish miles,
Norfolk wiles, many men beguiles
One theory was the bad state of Kentish roads meant miles seemed longer for travellers. However Notes & Queries (1895) suggests Kentish miles were longer;
The Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) was known in Kent as DRAGON'S TONGUE. Its said to be found in woodland on the North Downs, especially around Boxley.
May 23, 2025 at 6:01 AM
The Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima) was known in Kent as DRAGON'S TONGUE. Its said to be found in woodland on the North Downs, especially around Boxley.
A WASH-WAY was a narrow path cut in the woods to make the CANTS [portions] of a WOODFALL [part to be cut]. A fall of 10 acres would probably have been washed into 6 or 7 cants.
"You've no call to follow the main-track; keep down this here wash-way for about ten rods and you'll come right agin him."
"You've no call to follow the main-track; keep down this here wash-way for about ten rods and you'll come right agin him."
May 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A WASH-WAY was a narrow path cut in the woods to make the CANTS [portions] of a WOODFALL [part to be cut]. A fall of 10 acres would probably have been washed into 6 or 7 cants.
"You've no call to follow the main-track; keep down this here wash-way for about ten rods and you'll come right agin him."
"You've no call to follow the main-track; keep down this here wash-way for about ten rods and you'll come right agin him."
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect has LERRY, LORRY, LURRY as a "jingling rhyme' spoken by mummers in their folk plays. However this cutting from a 1950s newspaper suggests that it had been extended to any fast speech which was intended to cause difficulty in being understood by others listening in
May 21, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect has LERRY, LORRY, LURRY as a "jingling rhyme' spoken by mummers in their folk plays. However this cutting from a 1950s newspaper suggests that it had been extended to any fast speech which was intended to cause difficulty in being understood by others listening in
Following on from the boat known as a FOLKESTONE COCKTAIL In the additions to Pegge's Alphabet of Kenticisms the Rev W. Scott Robertson notes that a small boat was known as a COCK. He says that "The word appears repeatedly in the Queenborough Town Records" on the Isle of Sheppey.
May 20, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Following on from the boat known as a FOLKESTONE COCKTAIL In the additions to Pegge's Alphabet of Kenticisms the Rev W. Scott Robertson notes that a small boat was known as a COCK. He says that "The word appears repeatedly in the Queenborough Town Records" on the Isle of Sheppey.
FOLKESTONE COCKTAILS were boats used to bring in kegs of spirits sunk by smugglers close to the Varne sandbank about 9 miles offshore. 'Cocktail' smuggling did not last long as the boats were seized by excise officers.
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
Joseph Mallord William Turner, 'Folkestone from the Sea' c.1822-4 (J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours) | Tate
Matthew Imms July 2016
buff.ly
May 19, 2025 at 6:54 AM
FOLKESTONE COCKTAILS were boats used to bring in kegs of spirits sunk by smugglers close to the Varne sandbank about 9 miles offshore. 'Cocktail' smuggling did not last long as the boats were seized by excise officers.
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
FOLKESTONE COCKTAILS were boats used to bring in kegs of spirits sunk by smugglers close to the Varne sandbank about 9 miles offshore. 'Cocktail' smuggling did not last long as the boats were seized by excise officers.
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
Joseph Mallord William Turner, 'Folkestone from the Sea' c.1822-4 (J.M.W. Turner: Sketchbooks, Drawings and Watercolours) | Tate
Matthew Imms July 2016
buff.ly
May 19, 2025 at 6:00 AM
FOLKESTONE COCKTAILS were boats used to bring in kegs of spirits sunk by smugglers close to the Varne sandbank about 9 miles offshore. 'Cocktail' smuggling did not last long as the boats were seized by excise officers.
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
JMW Turner was familiar with this smuggling, more information at
I found a couplet in 'English Folk-Rhymes' (1892) suggesting a friendly rivalry between Folkestone and Dover fisherman.
This old spelling of Folkestone, without the middle 'e' was used to further tease locals pointing out that this was an anagram of KENT FOOLS.
This old spelling of Folkestone, without the middle 'e' was used to further tease locals pointing out that this was an anagram of KENT FOOLS.
![There was a vale [whale] came down the flood ;
Folsteners (Folkstone men) couldn't catch un, but Doverers dud.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:debhak7qjrboc74gbhosc5e6/bafkreig3bru2bt76hgijo6gtsi4pwmvyim6okjzbscngxueykubpmhj7ve@jpeg)
May 16, 2025 at 6:01 AM
I found a couplet in 'English Folk-Rhymes' (1892) suggesting a friendly rivalry between Folkestone and Dover fisherman.
This old spelling of Folkestone, without the middle 'e' was used to further tease locals pointing out that this was an anagram of KENT FOOLS.
This old spelling of Folkestone, without the middle 'e' was used to further tease locals pointing out that this was an anagram of KENT FOOLS.
CHOATY and CHUFF are words recorded as Kentish dialect for chubby or broad faced.
"He's a choaty boy."
And CHUFFER was used for eating a large amount of food or being a hearty eater.
"By Golly! Our young Willum (William) can't half chuffer, he'll eat us out of house and home"
"He's a choaty boy."
And CHUFFER was used for eating a large amount of food or being a hearty eater.
"By Golly! Our young Willum (William) can't half chuffer, he'll eat us out of house and home"
May 15, 2025 at 6:01 AM
CHOATY and CHUFF are words recorded as Kentish dialect for chubby or broad faced.
"He's a choaty boy."
And CHUFFER was used for eating a large amount of food or being a hearty eater.
"By Golly! Our young Willum (William) can't half chuffer, he'll eat us out of house and home"
"He's a choaty boy."
And CHUFFER was used for eating a large amount of food or being a hearty eater.
"By Golly! Our young Willum (William) can't half chuffer, he'll eat us out of house and home"
In the Kentish dialect poem 'Dick and Sal at Canterbury Fair' the White Hart ALUS or ALIS - alehouse, is mentioned;
An den we turn’d about agen,
An see an alis stan.
Sal thought it was de goat or hine,
I diden know fer my part;
But when we look’t apan de sign,
De readin was de White Hart.
An den we turn’d about agen,
An see an alis stan.
Sal thought it was de goat or hine,
I diden know fer my part;
But when we look’t apan de sign,
De readin was de White Hart.
May 14, 2025 at 6:01 AM
In the Kentish dialect poem 'Dick and Sal at Canterbury Fair' the White Hart ALUS or ALIS - alehouse, is mentioned;
An den we turn’d about agen,
An see an alis stan.
Sal thought it was de goat or hine,
I diden know fer my part;
But when we look’t apan de sign,
De readin was de White Hart.
An den we turn’d about agen,
An see an alis stan.
Sal thought it was de goat or hine,
I diden know fer my part;
But when we look’t apan de sign,
De readin was de White Hart.
A BANNICKING or BANNOCKING was a thrashing or beating - to give someone a "good hiding", as shown in this example from this 1950s newspaper snippet.
May 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM
A BANNICKING or BANNOCKING was a thrashing or beating - to give someone a "good hiding", as shown in this example from this 1950s newspaper snippet.
Some recorded Kentish names for the common earwig are PINCHERWIG or PINCHYWIG and TWINGE. Although earwigs eat pests such as aphids, they can also attack young plants and shoots. CAXES or CECKSIES - dry hollow plant stalks e.g. bean or elder were used to catch earwigs, especially around fruit trees.
May 12, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Some recorded Kentish names for the common earwig are PINCHERWIG or PINCHYWIG and TWINGE. Although earwigs eat pests such as aphids, they can also attack young plants and shoots. CAXES or CECKSIES - dry hollow plant stalks e.g. bean or elder were used to catch earwigs, especially around fruit trees.
Dialect dictionaries record the Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum, Glebionis segetum) being known in Kent as a YELLOW BOTTLE. I also found a reference in The Complete Farmer (1807) of these flowers growing in the sandy soils around Sandwich also being known as BUDDLE and GOLDS.
May 9, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Dialect dictionaries record the Corn Marigold (Chrysanthemum segetum, Glebionis segetum) being known in Kent as a YELLOW BOTTLE. I also found a reference in The Complete Farmer (1807) of these flowers growing in the sandy soils around Sandwich also being known as BUDDLE and GOLDS.
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect defines BODILY-ILL as a person ill with bronchitis, fever, shingles, however this would not be used for someone who had hurt his hand, sprained his ankle, or broken his leg, they would say: "Oh, he's not, as you may say, bodily-ill."
May 8, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect defines BODILY-ILL as a person ill with bronchitis, fever, shingles, however this would not be used for someone who had hurt his hand, sprained his ankle, or broken his leg, they would say: "Oh, he's not, as you may say, bodily-ill."
A 1950s newspaper column mentions the dialect word BLY, meaning a likeness to someone. Although its origin is said to be a mystery it's actually recorded in The Dialect of Kent in the 14th Century as a look or feature, "This man has the bly of his brother".
Said to be from Old Frisian blie or bli.
Said to be from Old Frisian blie or bli.
May 7, 2025 at 6:05 AM
A 1950s newspaper column mentions the dialect word BLY, meaning a likeness to someone. Although its origin is said to be a mystery it's actually recorded in The Dialect of Kent in the 14th Century as a look or feature, "This man has the bly of his brother".
Said to be from Old Frisian blie or bli.
Said to be from Old Frisian blie or bli.