Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/134

Rh NATTY.—Said of a woman who is very trim and perhaps a little coquettish in her dress.

NEAR.—Stingy. "A mus' be wuth a good bit o' money vor a allus was near."

The "near" side of a horse is the side on which the carter walks when driving his team. The "off" side is the other side.

NE-AST EGG.—A single egg left to prevent hens from deserting the nest. It is supposed that hens are unable to count or remember how many eggs they have previously laid, for they will daily go on laying until they have laid their number as long as a single egg remains, but if all were to be taken they would desert the nest and sometimes even stop laying for a time.

The "ne-ast egg" is often for convenience an addled egg, or an egg-shaped piece of chalk, the hen being content with such substitution.

NEDDY.—A donkey.

NETTLE-CRAPER.—The small White-throat; doubtless so called from its habits.

NETTLED.—Stung to anger; irritated.

NEVER A ONE.—Not one at all. "I never zee never a one avoor in all my bern daays."

NEVVY.—Nephew.

NEWVANGLED.—Spoken as regards new ideas or manners. It is always used disparagingly.

NI.—A brood of pheasants. See also.

NICE.—Very curiously coupled by women—"nice and warm;" "nice and frosty;" "nice and clean;" in fact, "nice, and anything that is gratifying."

NICELY.—To be "doing nicely" is to be getting better after illness.

NICK.—To knock off a small fragment.

NIGHT CAP.—A glass of hot spirits and water just before going to bed.

NIGHT-JAR.—The bird, "goat-sucker."

NIGHT NIGHTY.—A very friendly "Good-night;" used also generally to young children.