Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/118

Rh LAG.—Last. Boys playing at marbles call out "Lag" when wishing to play last.

LAMMAS, and LAMMAS-DAAY.—This word was explained in the following terms, in the case of "Hobbs versus The Corporation of Newbury," as reported in the "Newbury Weekly News" of the 16th February, 1888. "The Lammas Day obtained its name from a supposed offering or tything of Lambs on the 1st August, the Festival of St. Peter in Chains, as a thanksgiving for the first fruits of the new 'Bread Corn.' These fields (i.e., certain fields referred to in the law suit) are what are known as Lammas land, i.e., Commons on which the inhabitants of Newbury have the right of Pasturage, formerly commencing on Lammas Eve, the day before the festival of Lammas Day, the 1st August, till Lady Day, the 25th March."

LAND.—A portion of land delimited by furrows in ploughing. Families take lands as portions for reaping.

LANDLORD.—An inn-keeper is so called.

LANE, or LE-AN.—To lean; also the lean of meat.

LARDY CAAYKE.—The plain cake much sweetened and containing lard.

LARN.—To teach. "Do 'um larn 'e zummin (arithmetic) at schoold?"

LARRA MASSY.—A common interjectory expression.

LARRUP.—To beat. A larrupin' is a beating.

LATTER MATH.—The second crop of grass. Vide.

LAUK.—An expression of wonder.

LAVE, or LE-AV.—Leave.

LAVENDER.—To put away in "lavender" has the extended meaning of putting anything of value very carefully away.

LAW.—A common expression of surprise.

LAY, or LAA.—Law. "I wunt go to lay about ut."