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landwash
DCHP-2 (Apr 2016)
Spelling variants:land-wash, lamwash, lan'awash
n. — Newfoundland
the area of the ocean shore which is covered and uncovered by the tides.
Type: 5. Frequency — Landwash is a Newfoundland term that primarily refers to the area of shore that is washed by the tide, but may also refer to the shore of a pond, lake or river (DNE, s.v. "landwash"). OED-3 (s.v. "land"), marks landwash as "orig. and chiefly N. Amer.", though internet search results show that the term is most frequent in Canada (see Chart 1) and almost exclusive to Newfoundland and Labrador (see Chart 2). Clarke (2010b: 110) notes that because the lifestyle of the outport communities has experienced fairly little change in the past few centuries until recently, many words "relating to the fishery and other activities has remained fairly stable", including those documented by explorer George Cartwright (see the 1770 quotation). It is most likely a preservation in Newfoundland English.
See also DNE, s.v. "landwash", COD-2, s.v. "landwash", which is marked "Cdn (Nfld)".
See also DNE, s.v. "landwash", COD-2, s.v. "landwash", which is marked "Cdn (Nfld)".
In other locations often called tidal area.
Quotations
1770
CARTWRIGHT i, 48-9 They had tailed a trap on the landwash at the head of Niger Sound.
1825
The Grand Jury also represent, that the rising of either Herring or Caplin Spawn for the purpose of Manure, when the same has lain fourty-eight hours on the land-wash, can in no wise be injurious to the Fisheries, for after being exposed to the effects of the Sun and Air for so long time, it will not produce any Fish.
1844
It would be found more impracticable still to make a Road down by either side of the harbour; and until this was accomplished all travellers would have to walk five miles of rough and pebbly Landwash (which of all travelling is the most tiresome) before the Road could be taken.
1880
I am informed on reliable authority that a few days ago a quantity of diseased meat exposed for sale at one of the auction marts on Water Street was very properly condemned as unfit for food, and seized by the authorities; but instead of being, as the act declares it should be, destroyed, the meat was thrown into the landwash in the neighbourhood of Messrs. Job Brothers & Co.'s premises.
1905
Black bear are most likely to be found where settlers are fewest and where caplin come to the landwash near to woods.
1922
From 12 o'clock to 1.30 the wood boxes are replenished, the water barrels filled, and the refuse carried down to the landwash, or poured through a hole in the ice.
1949
When he reached the northerly side of the island, he sighted a pile of debris washed up in the landwash. Vaguely, he wondered if the recent windstorm had brought it there, but he was too much concerned with his solitary state to investigate.
1952
A joyous people, ready to greet the new boat like a new member to a family, crowded down to the wharf and landwash.
1966
When we emerged into the open at last, still high above the landwash and overlooking the fantastic barricades of piled-up blocks of ice, the sea surface was visible as swept and polished by the blizzard as if it had been burnished on some gigantic emery wheel.
1975
LAND-WASH n also *lamwash, by assimilation; landowash. 1 Shore between high and low tide marks, washed by the sea. [...] 2 Shore of a pond or lake between high and low water marks. [...] 3 Area under fishing stage and wharf where refuse and offal are thrown. [...] 4 A person's lap
1981
Across the road from the Stride household in Phillips Head, perilously close to the landwash, lies the old cemetery, a focal point for local history.
1994
We traveled all day over rough ice that lay between the 'landwash' on one side and the woods on the other.
2008
James Rouse had built flakes on disputed ground which Mrs. Clements had used for several years but which she did not claim. Nevertheless she and three of her men pulled down the flakes because Rouse and his men had prevented her from washing her fish in the landwash.
References
- COD-2
- DNE
- OED-3
- Clarke (2010b)
Images
Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 25 Jun. 2014
