My new book Headin’ For the Rhubarb: A NH Dictionary (well, kinda) is well and truly launched. We had a good turn out on a cold and windy night at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner and sold quite a few of the freshly printed volumes. Some people bought more than one, for gifts.
Of course, since it’s a dictionary, people wanted to know if I got all the New Hampshire words and expressions in. I didn’t. Already oversights are rising to the surface. For example, ununder. Suggested by my daughter. Usage: Where’s the floor cleaner? It’s ununder the sink.
Another missed phrase, which a listener heard me use in passing: “That’s right, too.” She said her dad always used it to change the subject when he got something wrong. Example:
Dad: The best way to get from Northwood to Hampton Falls is down 4 and across 125 to 101.
Dad’s Friend: It’d be quicker to go cross 152 and you’d avoid all the traffic on 4.
Dad: That’s right, too.
With the phrase “That’s right, too,” a person is never wrong. It’s the Yankee way.
Rick asked if the handy words yessir and nossir were in my dictionary. I said, “Nossir they ain’t. But I’ll put them in the next edition should there be one. Yessir I will.”
Of course, since it’s a dictionary, people wanted to know if I got all the New Hampshire words and expressions in. I didn’t. Already oversights are rising to the surface. For example, ununder. Suggested by my daughter. Usage: Where’s the floor cleaner? It’s ununder the sink.
Another missed phrase, which a listener heard me use in passing: “That’s right, too.” She said her dad always used it to change the subject when he got something wrong. Example:
Dad: The best way to get from Northwood to Hampton Falls is down 4 and across 125 to 101.
Dad’s Friend: It’d be quicker to go cross 152 and you’d avoid all the traffic on 4.
Dad: That’s right, too.
With the phrase “That’s right, too,” a person is never wrong. It’s the Yankee way.
Rick asked if the handy words yessir and nossir were in my dictionary. I said, “Nossir they ain’t. But I’ll put them in the next edition should there be one. Yessir I will.”
Congratulations on your new book, Becky! I look forward to reading it!
I don't know that this is a Yankee phrase per se, but flatlanders who move here insist they haven't heard it where they came from: "All set". As in when I'm working at the library circulation desk and a patron comes with their items to borrow, I'll say "Are you all set?". Do you think it's a Yankee phrase?
I love the title of your new book and wish you all the best with it.
Posted by: Lynne Bishop | October 21, 2010 at 08:47 PM
Hi Lynne:
I think it is a yankee phrase, but then I've never been anywhere but New England. A waitress alerted me to its yankeeness -- saying when she first started working in NH (having come from away) she didn't know what customers meant when they said they were all set.
It's in my dictionary under A. :)
Becky
Posted by: Rebecca Rule | October 23, 2010 at 09:10 AM