A S U S S E X
A D I C T I O N A RY O F T H E S U S S E X D I A L E C T
Parish’s Sussex word-hoard. Find out what aumry means; and bozzler, camsteery, dwairs, ellynge, gazel,
The Reverend W. D. Parish was the vicar of Selmeston; although not a great deal is known about him, he seemed to be more interested in lexicography than soul-saving, noting down Sussex usage from old plays and even the smugglers who stored contraband in the church crypt.
Never be lost for words in Sussex again.
A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
S ELMESTON
‘Lexicographer: A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.’ SAMUEL JOHNSON
SNAKE RIVER BOOKS
1 8 75
PA R I S H
Although born in Surrey, Lynne Truss has impeccable Sussex credentials, as she is a longtime Brighton resident, is on the board of the Charleston Trust, is a Patron of the Asham Trust, has an honorary degree from the University of Brighton and has written a critical introduction to Cold Comfort Farm, Sussex’s literary classic. As the author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, she is the ideal person to introduce us to the world of the Reverend W.D. Parish.
tom-bacca, unked, vlothered, whiffle and yoyster.
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
LY N N E T R U S S
hogo, jaunce, keblock, lapsy, mizmaze, noration, ox-tights, pettigues, quotted, rave-cart, slocksey,
A SUSSEX GUIDE
Strap on your backstays and plunge into the Reverend
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H
G U I D E
A DI CTI ONARY O F
A D I C T I O N A RY O F THE SUSSEX DIALECT
THE SUSSEX D I ALE CT A DICTIONARY OF THE S USSEX D IALECT & COLLECTION OF P RO V I N C I A L I S M S I N U S E IN THE C OUNTY OF S USSEX FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE YEAR BY
THE RE V E REND W. D.
PARISH
OF
1 8 75
S ELMESTON
Written and compiled by The Reverend W.D. Parish, vicar of Selmeston, the Dictionary is a fascinating insight into how we might have sounded nearly 150 years ago. A Dictionary of the Sussex Dialect and Collection of Provincialisms in Use in the County of Sussex was first published in 1875. An edition of this seminal Sussex work was brought out 50 years ago, with additions and expansions by one Helena Hall. Snake River Press is now going back to basics and offering an exciting new facsimile version of the Reverend Parish’s original, unexpurgated work, with an introduction by Lynne Truss. With the scourge of the misplaced apostrophe as our cultural guide, we can’t go wrong and, who knows, we may even be able to revive a few authentic Sussexisms.
T H E R E V E R E N D W. D . P A R I S H INTRODUCED BY
LY N N E T R U S S
BOOKS ABOUT SUSSEX FOR THE ENTHUSIAST
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