An 1893 book by Francis B. Lee explained some of the quaint words and phrases used by our New Jersey forebears.....and some are still in use today. Consider:
Boughten -- something you purchased
Boyzee -- referring to your boyhood
Bellywax -- molasses candy
Bellywhistle -- a drink of molasses, vinegar, nutmeg and water
I beant going -- meaning "I'm not going to the party"
Doubled-up -- got married
Golykeeper -- and old South Jersey cuss word
Jimminy crickets -- still used today
Ketchy -- used to describe changeable weather
Lashin's -- meant plenty, like lashin's of food
Pretty middlin' smart -- how good health was described
Shacklin' person -- a lazy, shiftless person
Skyscraper -- indicated a chap with a mighty high attitude
Snew -- if snow fell last night
Step-mother -- a ragged fingernail
Ten fingers -- an oyster man's term for a thief
O-be-joyful -- applied to someone a bit under the influence..."he's pretty oh-be-joyful tonight"
Apple palsy -- a step beyond applejack, sometimes known as Jersey Lightning
Those of us with New Jersey ancestors, are any of these words or phrases familiar??
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