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floater
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n. — North
a sealskin bag used as a buoy or float.
See: dan(def. 1)
Quotations
1578
[When they shoote at a greate fishe with any of theyr Dartes, they vse to tye a bladder thereunto, whereby they may the better finde them agayne, and the fishe not able to carrie it so easily away, for that the bladder dothe boy the darte, will at length be weerie, and dye therewith.]
1942
Flashing out with her slim, sharp tusks, she ripped the precious floater to bits
2an. — Nfld
a fisherman who establishes no shore base but remains at sea following the fish from place to place.
Quotations
1909
The "Floaters" leave the Newfoundland ports about the 1st of June, and fish in the Straits of Belle Isle, from Mecatina Islands to Greenly.
1924
Floaters. Labrador codders who move during the summer.
1942
The "floaters," who come here to fish for cod in the summer are five times as numerous [as the liveyeres].
1965
. . . Grenfell's Mission was ministering to both the "floaters" and the shore fishermen
2bn.
a person who lives at home and travels some distance each week to work.
Quotations
1930
These, coming from their homes to work in and about the mines, and returning each week end, are called "floaters."