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spell ((v.))

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1av. — Esp. North

stop for a spell (def. 2).

See: spell ((n.)) (def. 2)

Quotations

1912

We "spelled" twice a day to eat, making four meals in all, a general rule on the trail.

1927

Here we spelled and had a cup of tea and frazzled hide with a little bit of sugar.

1bv. — Esp. North

give a rest to (dogs) for a specific time.

Quotations

1921

Now the brigade was halted, in voyageur parlance, "to spell the dogs one smoke."

1922

Soon they came to the place where the men ahead of them had stopped to "spell" their dogs.

2v. — Nfld Dial.

See quotes.

Quotations

1920

There is an old story about a foreigner who once asked, "How do you spell 'swile' ?" The answer the fisherman gave him was, "We don't spell [carry] 'em. We mostly hauls 'em."

1933

"How do you spell it ?" [wood] "Sometimes I spells it in my apron, Sir, and sometimes I spells it in my arms."

1944

To spell (gather) a yafful (armful) of crunnocks (kindling). 1921 Newfoundland.