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Originally published in the Historic Nantucket, Fall 1997 (Vol. 46, No. 4)

And Greasy Luck to You! Nantucket Language That Prevails
by Cecil Barren Jensen

A NANTUCKET NATIVE (BORN HERE) SHOULD never be confused with a local (went to school here) or even a washashore (the newest, and begrudgingly accepted, term for those who moved here). Not a day goes by when you don't hear someone talk about off-island — referring to any location beyond Nantucket's shores. And it is not unusual to hear someone say "I'm going to America." But are the summer visitors still called strangers? And when was the last time you took a lunar (a night-time walk under the moon) or doused the glim (turned out the lights)?

As do many small communities, Nantucket has its own expressions. Many terms are derived from the days when sailing ships dominated the horizons, while others refer to the weather or fishing, but some are unique to Nantucket. Take up a conversation with a native (or even a local) and you may hear a few of the old expressions.

In 1916 William F. Macy and Roland B. Hussey wrote The Nantucket Scrap Basket, a delightful collection of stories and sayings including a chapter entitled "Expressions and Idioms." In their list they have "undertaken to set down alphabetically some of the more common words, nautical expressions and idiomatic sayings which are characteristic of the Nantucket speech." Many years have passed since then but according to some of our native friends the expressions live on. What follows is a list of some of the expressions that sparked the memories of Helen Winslow Chase, David Wood, and Renny Stackpole.

All squared away — To square the yards with another person is to repay a debt. Renny said this is an expression pertaining to the yards of a square-rigged ship. "Bringing them at right angles to the keel and let the ship run before the wind. All squared away is being shipshape."

America — As in the rest of the United States of America. "It is interesting to note that islanders have always considered themselves an entity set apart, almost not a part of the continent," said David. "Island history tells of the plight of Nantucketers during the Revolution when we tried to be friendly with both sides, fearing the wrath of both. Chinese merchants, trading with Nantucket ships in the China trade, came to believe that Nantucket was a separate nation: the ship owners were so plentiful, so autonomous and free that they treated the traders apart from the others."

Astern the lighter —Late. Renny heard it used all the time as a child. "You're astern the lighter a'ready with all your garden chores."

Cannikin tub — A wooden pail, with straight sides, hooped and with a close-fitting wooden cover. David, however, said he never heard it used in any other way than "cannikin" without the word tub. "It was a wooden container with a cover, made by the early coopers, of whom there were many on this whaling island."

Chicken Hiller, Upper Main Streeter, North Shorer, Under the Banker — All descriptions of where people lived in town. David tells of a few others such as, "down there in Guinea," referring to south of town, also called Newtown. "Remember that there was, for years, a gate at the end of Pleasant Street that marked the separation between north and south." North Liberty Street was sometimes referred to as Egypt. "North Liberty Street was sparsely settled in the early part of this century, had no street lights, and was dark. So Nantucketers used to say it was as "dark as Egypt." David also added that "as an idiom, islanders used to say 'she lives up Egypt,' omitting any preposition."

Coasting down Orange Street — "Although Orange Street was often closed to traffic after a snowstorm for island kids to slide from Orange Street clear down to the Pacific Club, the term 'coasting' refers to 'strolling' down the street, from 'coasting' schooner," explained Renny.

Come aboard — A greeting or welcoming for a visitor at your house. According to Helen, she had a friend whose father said "Come aboard" every time you knocked on his door.

Coof — An off-islander, perhaps originally applied only to Cape Codders. How this old Scottish expression ended up in Nantucket is a mystery.

Cubby hole — Attic. "We don't have an attic in our house but a cubby hole," said David. "It is a place for storage above the second floor. Seafarers were familiar with 'cubby,' which to them meant a secluded nook or snug area."

Down along — As in where are you going? "Just down along."

Gam — A social visit. According to Macy and Hussey "originally this term was applied to a school of whales, and its use by the whalemen is doubtless derived from that source. Whaleships meeting at sea often hove to, and the captains would visit back and forth during the time the ships were in company. Under certain conditions the crews were allowed the privilege also. The word was used both as a noun and as a verb, and it is still very frequently heard among Nantucketers."

Getting one's gauge of the weather or "weather gauge" — Gauging the weather to windward or otherwise. Renny explained that this expression derives from whale oil being measured for content and quality with an "oil thief" or gauge.

Greasy luck — To wish a whaleman greasy luck was to wish him a good voyage — with lots of whale oil. On the island, it was used to wish friends well in any venture.

Headwind — Difficulties to be overcome. This is a nautical expression that was incorporated into everyday speech and is still used regularly.

Knock it galley west — To strike or smash something so that it gets knocked over. Helen explained that this was an old sailor's expression that found its way into common usage, but even she has no idea why it's galley west!

Lay — A share or percentage. On whaling ships everyone on board knew his lay of the profits. In Helen's house a lay was a "share of a total following a formula announced by Dad and Mother."

Mad/Queer as huckleberry chowder — "Nothing is more improbable than a chowder made from huckleberries, hence it was equated with madness or crazi-ness," explained David. Helen's father also enjoyed using this expression.

Old Town turkey — Nantucketers' name for any resident of Martha's Vineyard. The name no doubt comes from the town of Edgartown, which was formerly known as Old Town.

On deck — Edouard Stackpole, when asked how he was, often replied "I'm on deck!" meaning up and around.

The pass —People walking on the street. From a quiet bench or window, Nantucketers enjoy "watching the pass." Nantucketers watching the pass always sit "under the window" and not by it or in it, according to David. "A writing teacher I had in college scoffed at this expression, taking it too literally."

Polpisy — Countrified, outlandish. Polpisy is a very old local term dating back to "when the people of that suburb were, perhaps, less in touch with the civilizing influence of the island's metropolis than at present," wrote Macy and Hussey in 1916. As a child, Helen was reminded by her father "not to act polpisy" — in other words to behave herself. For David the word has meant "bumpkinish or boorish" and was certainly not a compliment.

Sculch — A mishmash of stuff or clutter of any sort. David uses this expression regularly and explains that "people in America look askance at the word." So he looked it up and found that the dictionary gives the definition as "rubbish" and as a variation of "culch or cultch."

Speak — A nautical expression meaning to communicate with and was used without the preposition "to". For instance one ship speaks another on the high seas, or one Nantucketer speaks another on the street. It was quite common for Nantucketers to drop prepositions, according to David. "One day, talking with Grace Brown Gardner, I heard her say, 'Well, I went up attic to find a basket...'"

Rantum scoot — A day's expedition, cruise, or journey with no particular destination. A rantum scoot could be in a boat, in a car, or on foot. David explains that this expression comes from "random" (unplanned) and "scoot" to move quickly or freely.

Skimming the slicks — "Securing the full limit of return from any effort," wrote Macy and Hussey. Here is a fishing expression that refers to the smooth, oily patches often seen on the sea over a school of bluefish, mackerel, or other surface-feeding fish.

Snivver — Immediately after. "I'll be over to your house sniwer I have had my dinner." Macy and Hussey guessed that this was from "as soon as ever."

Too bad you didn't gaff it after you hove —Expressing frustration at a lost opportunity. According to Renny this is a local fishermen's expression. He explains "fish are gaffed over the rail and a ship pauses or holds its station when hove to."

Wild as a Tuckernuck steer — Wild. "Many beef cattle were formerly raised on Tuckernuck, and their antics, when brought into the gay metropolis of Nantucket town, probably gave rise to this expression," wrote Macy and Hussey.

Wind, weather, or whales permitting — Helen read this expression in a whaling log and adopted it as her own. She often uses it on friends who live off-island, because "it sounds so Nantuckety."

Weather breeder — According to The Nantucket Scrap Basket, "a fair, calm day, with a cloudless sky, or at most a few fleecy white wisps far up in the blue, when distant objects stand out clearly, when Pocomo Head and Great Point hang suspended, 'twixt sea and sky and even Cape Cod may be visible in mirage" is a weather breeder. Even today this word is used as a warning that things are too still, too good, too calm, and trouble is ahead.