Funny Sayings - Some Newfoundland Fun, Culture and more...
Ranked #105 in Humor, #11,163 overall
Keeping Culture and Fun Alive in Newfoundland and Labrador
"It's the place where land, water and sky embrace like old friends".
NL Travel Guide
T
he history and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador is unlike any other.
Growing up on the east coast of Canada, especially the island of Newfoundland, you were always exposed to an assortment of Newfoundland Sayings by just about everyone around you.
Most everyone on the island, were mainly a cultural mix of British and Irish who had immigrated to escape wars, poverty and persecution and for over hundreds of years, the old sayings and dialects were never quite lost.
From humourous to serious, some sayings were carried over from the old world and some just evolved from the people living on "the rock" trying to survive in a beautiful and sometimes harsh environment.
This site is devoted to these old time sayings and helping to keep culture alive in Newfoundland and Labrador.
And for all those people who moved away over the years, and there be many, it will hopefully bring back a few good memories.
May they never ever be lost in a more modern world.
ENJOY and Welcome Aboard!
www.newfoundlandways.com
Sayings from Nan and Pop's Place
Avisit to your grandparents place was always good for a few yarns and old sayings.
These sayings are somewhat based around food as for some reason, grandparents always wanted to "fatten you up".
The cupboards were always full of homemade bread, jams and cakes and they would even put mollasses in their tea!
These were good times remembered for sure.
"You'll be wishing your cake dough" - wishing you had your time back
"Slow as cold molasses" - you are not moving very fast
"You can eat the funks my son" - you are eating a lot at one sitting
"Cooked enough for a schooner's crew" - you cooked too much food
"I'm gutfoundered bye" - you are really hungry now
"Just show it to the pan" - you don't need to fry the food much
"That bread is some fousty" - the bread is spoiled and not fit to eat
"Put a few leggies on soak for the mornin" - fish for breakfast
"Stop your rampsin around" - stop being overactive in the house
"Make haste now my darlin" - hurry up
"The arse is gone out of er" - the local economy is not very good right now
The main parts of their woodstove are: " lifter, leg and poker, damper, hole and scraper"
"Feed your crackie" - feed your dog of no particular breed
Sayings from Townies and Baymen
People on the island were of three groups, townies (folks from St. John's), baymen (folks from the outports) and people from the interior of the island who probably were baymen who didn't care much for the ocean.
Each outport around the bay had it's own unique sayings and of course the townies had the so called "townie accent".
Some people say "It was the Irish in em".
"That townie was done up like a stick of gum" - the person was well dressed
"Goin out for a few swallies n scuffs" - going for a few drinks and dancing
"Cleave up some junks and make a few splits" - cut wood with an axe for a fire
"A yaffle of wood" - armfull of wood
"I'll get at that bumbye" - do something later on
"The nippers is tick tonight" - lots of mosquitoes around
"I put my sweater on the part before" - put my sweater on inside out
Sayings from Bonfire Night
This occasion came about on November 5th, 1605, and was an attempt to blow up the British Parliment building by the scalleywag Guy Fawkes and a few of his followers.
He was later caught, tortured and executed (hung, drawn and quartered), which was in style at the time and bonfire night became a yearly tradition on the island.
"Burning some blasty boughs" - burn dead spruce tree branches
"Watch the flankers" - be careful of sparkes from the fire
"That fire is poverty" - the fire is too small
"Dout dat fire" - put the fire out
Sayings from Christmastime
In the old days, Christmas was celebrated for all twelve days.
Even today, some communities still carry on this great tradition.
It was a time for religious activities as well as people coming together to share friendship, stories, songs, a few nips and scuffs.
Mostly in the outports,the tradition of "mummering" or "jannying" was also practiced during the Christmas season.
Mummering dates back to the middle ages and was an old English custom.
Newfoundlanders who are "away" to this day yearn to "go home for Christmas".
Mummers Picture by Artist: Ellen Jean Wareham
"Any jannies or (mummers) allowed in" - can people dressed up in disguises come into your house for drinks and dancing
"Goin to the time" - going to some sort of social function
"Lard jumpin die ins or lard die in jumpins" - an expression of excitment
"Mind the time" - remember when
"Poor mom or poor dad" - mom or dad is deceased
"Make no wonder" - it's no wonder that
"Put the kettle on maid" - a man telling his wife to make lunch or that company is coming
"Gone upalong" - gone to the mainland for work
"Down dat Screech bye" - drink your Newfoundland drink quickly
Sayings from the Sea and the Weather
The weather around the province is always changing and can be a good conversation piece at times.
The unpredictable weather, along with the ocean, made for some unique Newfoundland Sayings.
"Long may your big jib draw" - may the wind always be in your forward sails
"Dis punt is some cranky" - Small boat is too unstable
"He is wild as a gannet" - the person is overactive
"Some rough out" - It's really stormy
"The bay is some loppy" - small waves on the water
"Go on home your mudder got lassy buns" - trying to get rid of someone
"Don't slip on dat slub" - careful not to slip on the watered down fish guts
"Can't see a hand before ya" - snowing really bad
"The fog is tic as pea soup" - it's really foggy out
"Put your vamps and stocking cap on" - put your wool socks and cap on
"Filled to the gunnels" - filled to capacity
Everyone Knows a Unique Saying
These are just a few of the old sayings that we have remembered and kept over the years from the Trinity and Bonavista bay region of the province.Please feel free to comment and ADD ONE THAT YOU KNOW from the past in the GUESTBOOK at the end of the page.
Newfoundland Fun, Music and more...
N
ewfoundlanders are known far and wide not only for their spirit, hard work and wit, but also for the ability to play a musical instrument of some kind.
Invented generations ago, the Newfoundland Ugly Stick was an instrument born from the imagination and the necessity to keep a beat with an accordian player long into the night.
They were usually made from a combination of discarded materials - an old mop handle, caps from bottles, tin cans, old boots, hats and wigs and thus had many variations and tonal qualities.
With a little practice, you can easily lay down a beat and make a jig sound pretty good at any kitchen party.
ewfoundlanders are known far and wide not only for their spirit, hard work and wit, but also for the ability to play a musical instrument of some kind.
Invented generations ago, the Newfoundland Ugly Stick was an instrument born from the imagination and the necessity to keep a beat with an accordian player long into the night.
They were usually made from a combination of discarded materials - an old mop handle, caps from bottles, tin cans, old boots, hats and wigs and thus had many variations and tonal qualities.
With a little practice, you can easily lay down a beat and make a jig sound pretty good at any kitchen party.
A Few Favorite Links
Click and Search For Newfoundland Items on Amazon.ca
Get All The New and Old Great Big Sea Favorites Here!
Get Harry Hibbs Favorites Here!
Get Dick Nolan Favorites Here!Get Tony Johnson's new CD Changing Times Here!
* The Books * The DVD's
Get Great Newfoundland DVD's Here!
* Gift CertificatesAmazon.ca Gift Certificates
Available In Amounts From $5
Redeemable For Tons of Items.
Get Them What They've Always Wanted (Even if you don't know what the heck it is!)
Check Out The "Newfoundland Dog" Owners Guide Here!
The Famous "Screech In" Story
Screech is a Jamaican-produced rum that is bottled in Newfoundland.
Although its origins are uncertain, it is thought that Screech itself dates back 250 years, when Newfoundland fishermen would take salt cod to the Caribbean and bring rum back to the island.
When the Government took control of the liquor business, it began selling the rum in unlabelled bottles.
The product remained nameless until American servicemen came to the Island during World War II.
We are not sure how the rum got it's name but this story seems to go over well:
T
he story goes something like this:
The commanding officer of the detachment was having his first taste. The Newfoundlander downed his drink in one gulp, so the American did the same.
The American's loud scream attracted attention.
An American sargeant who heard the sound from outside pounded his fist on the door and demanded to know, "What the cripes was that ungodly screech?"
The Newfoundlander replied in true Newfie form, "Da Screech? 'Tis the rum, me son."
N
ewfoundland "Screech-Ins" as we now know them, are not really that old.
It was a great idea improved upon by a group of people who included Joe Murphy and Joan Morrisey. They were both local musicians and they got a gig one night down at a local pub and decided that they wanted to do all Newfoundland music.
They wanted to do a stage show as well, so they came up with this idea of the "Screech-In".
They didn't invent it - what they did was take an older idea of honouring Newfoundlanders and turned it into this idea of a "Screech-In".
A "Screech-In" is a ceremony where non-Newfoundlanders or "come-from-aways" are inducted into Newfoundland culture by downing a shot of Screech rum, repeating some old sayings in a Newfie dialect and kissing a codfish.
At the end, visitors get a certificate (you can print one from the link below) that names them as Honourary Newfoundlanders and members of the Royal Order of Screechers, all in good fun.
According to folklore, the idea of kissing a cod was not invented by the group but actually occurred in other places such as England in the 1950s, for reasons unknown.
Today the great tradition continues and has become the "thing to do" for tourists from far and wide.
Some Favorite Mixes
NEWFOUNDLAND NIGHT- CAP
Take this one to bed with you!
- 1 1/4 ozs. Newfoundland Screech
- 1 - 2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar
- Coffee
- Whipped Cream
Pour Screech and brown sugar into a coffee cup, fill with coffee and stir; top with whipped cream and enjoy.
CHRISTMAS CHEER
Light the fire, hang the stockings and wait for good 'ole St. Nick.
- 1.5 oz. of Screech
- 3 oz. Egg Nog
Combine Screech and Egg Nog, over ice; stir and top with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
* AND REMEMBER - Please Use Screech In Moderation
* Screech In Certificate
GET YOUR FREE "SCREECH IN" CERTIFICATE HERE!
PLEASE "SCREECH IN" RESPONSIBLY
DON'T DRINK and DRIVE
Show Your Newfoundland Spirit - Put Any Saying On Custom Made T Shirts, Hoodies, Aprons, Caps, Mousepads, Mugs, Stickers & more.
Pick From Already Made Logos and Sayings or "Create Your Own" - Makes Great "One of a Kind" Gifts
Put an Old Saying, Favorite Photo, or Even Your Favorite Pet On Your Mousepad
Get Already Made Designs or Make Your Own - You Get The Picture!
powered by Zazzle.com
Acknowledgements:
Flag Photo by Shannon Oake Photography
A BIG THANKS to the friends and family who remembered some of the Newfoundland's Old Sayingsso that they could be documented here.
And THANKS to Shannon Oake Photography from Clarenville, NF for the Newfoundland Scenery Photos.
Visit the website to see more of his work at: www.shannonoake.com
Add a Comment or Add an Old Saying Here
Tell Us Who You Be Too If You Want!
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Sharon Vaters
Nov 30, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
- Hey Larry,
Great job of keeping our old newfie sayings alive. Here is one for ya.............
"What a wonderful pain". - a very bad pain"
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funjob
Mar 25, 2010 @ 11:50 pm
- Wonderful - my grandmother also used the word for good as well as bad things.
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angietippett
Nov 11, 2009 @ 12:17 am
- I love your site
whatz ya at the day maide
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funjob
Mar 28, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
- Great old everyday greeting Angie.
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Justin
Aug 12, 2009 @ 12:33 am
- Great Site Dad
Heres one for ya "Gwan do Brudder"
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- Load More
Drop By Again Sometime cause We Might Add Something New Too!
www.newfoundlandways.com
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