LL-L 'Anniversary' 2006.07.17 (01) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

======================================================================
L O W L A N D S - L * ISSN 189-5582 * LCSN 96-4226
http://www.lowlands-l.net * lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Rules & Guidelines: http://www.lowlands-l.net/index.php?page=rules
Posting: lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org or lowlands-l at lowlands-l.net
Commands ("signoff lowlands-l" etc.): listserv at listserv.net
Server Manual: http://www.lsoft.com/manuals/1.8c/userindex.html
Archives: http://listserv.linguistlist.org/archives/lowlands-l.html
Encoding: Unicode (UTF-8) [Please switch your view mode to it.]
=======================================================================
You have received this because you have been subscribed upon request.
To unsubscribe, please send the command "signoff lowlands-l" as message
text from the same account to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or
sign off at http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
=======================================================================
A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West) Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeeuws)
=======================================================================

L O W L A N D S - L * 17 July 2006 * Volume 01
======================================================================

From: 'Szelog, Mike' <Mike.Szelog at cfgcustomers.com>
Subject: LL-L 'Anniversary' 2006.07.15 (04) [E]

Hello all,

Sandy wrote -

In the New Hampshire dialect at
http://www.lowlands-l.net/anniversary/newhampshire.php we read:

"One time, the oldah bööds both flew out--"they hahd wanted to get a dite
ta eat fowah theyah yowens and hahd left them all alone"

Is that really "a dite to eat"?

If so, what's a "dite", surely not just a word for bite?

If not, then I suppose it needs corrected!

***

Sandy and all - Nope, it's an actual dialect word and means "a small portion, a
small bit", as in:

"I think I'd like a piece of that blueberry pie"
"How big a piece do you want?"
"Oh, just a dite; got to save room for supper."

Looks like it could be a form of "bite", and perhaps that's its original origin,
however, it can also be used in "non-food" contexts as well:

"Move that picture over to the right just a dite, and you'll have it straight."

So, I'm not too sure about its origins. Just something you hear in (Northern) New
England.

Mike S
Manchester, NH - USA 

==============================END===================================
* Please submit postings to lowlands-l at listserv.linguistlist.org.
* Postings will be displayed unedited in digest form.
* Please display only the relevant parts of quotes in your replies.
* Commands for automated functions (including "signoff lowlands-l") are
  to be sent to listserv at listserv.linguistlist.org or at
  http://linguistlist.org/subscribing/sub-lowlands-l.html.
======================================================================