Saturday 25 August 2007

Inter-County Semantics - Round 2...

As Ed and Electro have launched into Inter-County Semantics, Rumours, Myths and Damn Bloody Lies, I’m getting my retaliation in first by copying a method of counting sheep, which originated in Sussex.

The shepherd would let two sheep through at a time, and when he’d reached ‘Den’ (ten), he would cut a notch on a stick to denote a ‘score’, i.e. twenty.

I was given a book on very important things like this when I was twenty-one, and in a fit of generosity once, gave it to my local pub, where there were still some locals who remembered the rhyme! Sometimes they'd all sit there chanting it over pints of Old and Mild...!

One-erum,
two-erum,
cock-erum,
shu-erum,
sith-erum.
sath-erum,
wineberry,
wagtail,
tarry-diddle,

den.

Quaint isn’t it?

And if anyone as much as breathes anything about kilts, zips, wellingtons, mountains etc., there are still plenty of pictures of the war wound which will arrive in a plain brown envelope and with a sickening thud...

17 comments:

idle said...

No self-respecting Jock would marshall sheep in a kilt. Ticks are unpleasant in areas of foliage.

Electro-Kevin said...

Great post, Scrobs. You are certainly developing a good style.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Idle,

You're probably right, although I have somehow acquired two huge insect bites during the glimmer of sunshine we had yesterday. I'm so glad you kept it clean...

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Eleccers,

You so kind... especially as you now have a degree in rocket science!

I'm still trying to figure out your post...

Tuscan Tony said...

Meeting gnarlies in pubs is one thing I miss about England, nice tale.

Hercules said...

Hey Scroblene,

How is the hand doing now?

I guess you'll have a round of Physio now? Thats one thing i'm not looking forward to.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Hercs,

Glad you're on the mend - and thanks for your kind concern.

Physio is non-existent except to bend the fingers back while it all heals. They do insist on using E45 cream to keep it all supple, and helps the scar tissue to get together easily - which it does!

Anyway, a pal of mine fell in love wioth the physio who looked at his finger, with the same problem as me! That was just a few seconds before she bent it back until he shrieked!!! (bent the finger I must add...)!

I'm more cross with myself for leaving my briefcase in the bank today, and they're shut now!

Bugger!

Gawain Towler said...

Mumbling gnarlies are indeed one of life's great pleasures. They can be found here in Belgium, but their patrois is sadly beyond my linguistic abilities. It is bad enough in French, but Brusselaar is inpenetrable.

Anonymous said...

I'll see your:

One-erum,
two-erum,
cock-erum,
shu-erum,
sith-erum.
sath-erum,
wineberry,
wagtail,
tarry-diddle,
den.

and raise you:

Yan, Tan, Tethera, Methera, Pimp, Sethera, Lethera, Hovera, Dovera, Dick, Yan-a-Dik, Tan-a-Dick, Tethera-a-Dick, Methera-a-Dick, Bumfit, Yan-a-Bumfit,Tethera-a-Bumfit, Methera-a-Bumfit, Giggot."

As you say - charming.

Scouse Doris said...

Elaib (& Scrobbers),

I think Jake Thackray did a song using these words. I will check with the aunt and maybe we can post up a link or something.

Scouse Doris said...

Sorry I meant Canute not Eliab!

Electro-Kevin said...

Fascinating words, and as you say - quaint. I love it, as with your song on Idle.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Canute! Fantastic - just imagine all that yelling going on at a market! Thanks indeed!

Elaib - noted! I really love the Belgians and have always found them friendly (except for the Italian Restaurant just off Bruges Main Square, where we really got pissed off with them after they ignored us for an hour!) Mrs S called them a rude name and we staggered out...

Scyce; Scycers, Scycie! Glad to see you again! Jake Thackery was a hero here; I think he had a song about 'My dog Ulysses' which made my dad splutter with unending mirth once!

Kevin; Thanks! The song on Idle was a bit cheeky, but all my limericks were even more disgusting than the others...

Tuscan Tony said...

OK scrobs, you've had your 5 days worth with this post, time to move on and put up something new for your slavering crowd of admirers...

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Tuscers..,

I really have been busy this week, and can't keep up with the likes of you!

I'm on the case...promise...

hatfield girl said...

As this thread is about to be put away I'll just have a quiet sit down. eevy ivy over.....

Scouse Doris said...

'My Dog Ulysses is fab. My mum's favourite was 'Sister Josephine' - also good for a laugh.