Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/122

Rh LORDS AN' LAAYDIES.—The arum.

LOT.—The feast time at some villages.

Drayton "Lot" is well kept up. "A vat lot" is an expression of doubt. "I be a-gwaain to zee Me-uster an' tell 'un I wunt bide wi' un a minnut longer." To this would be made the jeering rejoinder, "A vat lot you 'ooll I'll be bound."

LOTS.—Many, the greater number. "Lots on us can't come a Monday 'cause o' the crickut match, but all on us 'ood come a Tuesday."

LOUCHET.—A large piece. "Thee hast gin I moor of a louchet 'n I can yet" (you have given me a larger piece than I can eat.)

LOUT.—A stupid, ungainly man.

LOVE AN' IDLE.—The Pansy.

LOVE-CHILD.—One born before wedlock.

LOVE VEAST.—A tea meeting held in dissenting chapels, after which members in turn tell their religious experiences.

LOW.—Out of spirits. "I was a-veelin' a bit low acause my zon as is abrade ent wrote to I vor a long time."

LOW BELL.—A bell formerly rung at villages in the Vale of Berkshire at day break by the herdsman appointed to take charge of cows to be turned out on the downs for grazing during the day. At the sound of the "low bell" the cows were delivered to him. (Low rhymes with 'cow.')

LUBBER, or LUBBER-YEAD.—One very stupid indeed.

LUCKY BAG.—A bag always at country fairs. On payment of a penny one puts in the hand and draws forth a prize of some kind.

LUG.—A pole or perch. The pole which secures barn doors by being fixed across; to carry.

LUMBERIN'.—A dull heavy prolonged sound.

LUMMAKIN'—Proceeding with slow ungainly motion.

LUMP.—To thump with the fist. A "lump of a chap" is a big fellow, perhaps somewhat ungainly.