DCHP-3

pipe ((1))

[< Cdn F]
Fur Trade, Hist.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1n.

a spell of travelling or rowing between rest periods at which a pipe was smoked; the distance that could be travelled in such a spell.

See: smoke(def. 3b),spell ((n.)) (def. 1)

Quotations

1793
Leaving pointe au père we paddled two pipes and put to shore to give the men time to clean themselves, while we breakfasted. . . .
1824
Thence by Horses to Buffalo Dung Lake (1 pipe across) in Two Days. . . .
1908
"Five pipes" are the long portages.
1956
The distance of a portage was reckoned at so many pipes.
2n.

a rest period between spells of travelling.

See: smoke(def. 3a),smoke-up,spell ((n.)) (def. 2)

Quotations

1806
. . . the men are better off and better pleased than if they ate a little at every Pipe.
1933
The code of voyaging had made provisions for two full meals only in twenty-four hours, one early in the morning, the second on establishing camp for the night (and a "pipe" of five minutes at intervals, if one smoked).
3n.

a space of time.

See: smoke(def. 3c)

Quotations

1848
The men used to row for a space of time, denominated a pipe, so called from the circumstance of their taking a smoke at the end of it.
1933
The "pipe" was one of the units of time commonly used by the Canadians. It was apparently a flexible unit, for there seems to be no agreement as to the length of time it covered.
1953
This evening we pitch off. We leave hyas quick--in half a pipe.