It has been said of Joey Smallwood, the man who more than any other was responsible for Newfoundland’s entry into Canada, and was also our first premier, that he dragged Newfoundland, kicking and screaming, into the twentieth century. The change didn’t happen overnight, though the decision to become part of Canada in 1949, was I suppose, the beginning of the end, for a way of life that had changed little in more than three hundred years. It was not until the 1960’s, with the resettlement program that the real transformation began. Between 1965 and 1970, 3,242 households, totalling 16,114 people from 119 communities were resettled. Those communities with an average population of less than 150 people, had been settled hundreds of years earlier because people wanted to be near the best fishing grounds. It was in such communities, that the spirit of the early settlers still survived and the old ways prevailed. By no means has the change been completed however, and it may yet take generations before we become (heaven forbid) a carbon copy of mainland Canada. If and when this does happen, there are those of us who hope that our rich heritage will be preserved, if only in story and in song.

I continue now with some words, sayings and phrases that make us unique:

“I put me sweater on hinder part before” – I put my sweater on backwards.

“I’ll get at that bumbye” – I’ll do it later.

“ Dout dat fire” – Put the fire out.

“Mind your mouth now” – Be careful of what you are saying. (usually used to tell someone that their language is a little off colour.)

Beatin’ the path” – Walking the roads or just hanging around.

“Where you ‘longs to? – Where are you from?

“Arse foremost” – Backwards.

“Oh me nerves, de got me drove” – My nerves are bad.

“Garnteed,bye” – Guaranteed – I agree.

“Scoff and a scuff” – A meal followed by a dance.

“If I ‘ad a face da likes o yers, me son, I’d walk backwards” – Someone would be really insulting your looks here … If they looked like you they would walk backwards so nobody could see them. Again note the ‘me son’ … another typical newfie saying.

“Giv us a bitta dat luh” – Give us some of that.

“Any mummers loud in” – Mummers are people dressed up who visit around Christmas… this is the question they ask when someone answers the door.

“You’ll be wishing your cake dough” - You’ll wish you had your time back.

“ You can eat the funks me son” – You are eating a lot at one sitting. The Funks are islands off the coast of Newfoundland famous for its seabirds.

“Do you mind the time” – Do you remember when.

“Poor mom or poor dad” – Meaning mom and dad are deceased.

“Gone upalong”- Gone to mainland Canada.

“Down dat screech bye” – Drink your rum quickly.

“Shifftin’”- A change of clothing.

“Go home yer mudder got lassy buns” – This was often said by children when trying to get rid of someone.

“Can’t see a hand before ya” – It’s a heavy snowfall.

“Filled to the gunnels” – Filled to capacity.

“He’s three sheets to the wind” – He’s intoxicated.

“He never does a tap – He never works.

“Hop your carcass here” – Come here this instant.

“Ya got’er scald bye” – You have things just the way you want them.

To Be Continued