After we went to press this season I came across a source for Old-English phrases, insults and threats.  As a family we have started using them when playing cards, and it has added a whole new dimension of hilarity!  If you’re not laughing at how goofy your loved ones sound trying to speak archaic English, then you’ll just be plain tickled by the strange expressions.

So, since I didn’t come across these until after we went to print (2008), I thought I would post them here on the blog so people can enjoy them this year.

Also get more Thanksgiving Time Travel tips at: http://www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/carries-chat/7-tips-tg/

Have fun!

• aye  =  yes
• aye?  =  right?
• nay  =  no
• I’ee be loookin’ arrt fer ya  =  I am looking out for you (helping newbs learn the game)
• be righeet wahlcum  =  be right welcome (make yourself welcome here)
• g’-looohk t’ thee /ya  =  good luck to you
• I’ee’ull wayee-jarr a han-soohm ven-char  =  I’ll wager a handsome venture
• I’ee be yer hoohm-ble sarrvint  =  I am your humble servant
• the lot or ya bayee chaiters!  =  all of you are cheaters!
• thou doos’ chaite!  =  you do cheat!
• I’ee’ull breng me boot ter ya!  =  I’ll bring my boot to you! (I’ll kick you)
• blayss yer roosty ahrrt!  =  bless your rusty heart!
• remoof yar car-cahss!  =  remove your carcass! (get out of here)
• I’ee’ull sayee thee blayed!  =  I’ll see you bleed!
• whech bayee warse?  =  which is worse? (when deciding one’s cards)
• yer myeen’s oohn-henged  =  your mind is unhinged (you are crazy)
• hoold yher toongue  =  hold your tongue
• an’ bae doohn witt ett  =  and be done with it (hurry up)
• ‘eave a-hayd  =  heave ahead (press forward, or hurry up)
• sharr ‘n sarten arr ye?  =  sure and certain are you?

2008 (we have costumes!):

Carrie drains grape juice while Elena rests.  September family get-together.  New England history and instructions for grape stomping are provided in the guide.  Costumes are period authentic, but not class authentic.  The Mayflower women were all middle class citizens and would not have been caught dead showing their undergarment sleeves!  There is an excellent period costume overview in the guide, covering both English and Native Wampanoag attire.

Elena stomps grapes for us at our September family get-together.

Carrie explains the Maize offering, tells story of 50 year alliance and downfall between the English and the Native Wampanoag.  September family get-together.

Here we are roasting rabbit (a first time experience for most of us), and boiling hickory nuts for “powcohiccora” in one of the Native-style pots Carrie made.  We had a bet going as to whether or not the Indian corn would pop, but you’ll have to give a corn offering of your own to find out the answer!

This year we are looking more true to 1621!  Here is a very near authentic interpretation of an English place setting.  The salt dip is fun and interesting to use.

Here is an interpretation of an early New England Wampanoag place setting – very fun!  We do not recommend using real turtle shells, however, for sanitation and environmental reasons.  We are inviting the public to join our LPH co-op for the manufacture of immitation turtle shells (see guide or Co-op page for details).  Purchasing information for the flint knife is provided in the guide.

Here I am with a display of some of the items I have collected or made for Thanksgiving.

2007:

Here I used the Dutch oven on Thanksgiving day to pan fry “venison” steaks for lunch.  We have since discovered it is more fun to give everyone a stick and have them roast their own over open flame.

Hustin chops butternut squash to make Indian Pudding in the Dutch oven.  September test run.

Our first attempt at grape stomping, Sept 2007.  I forgot to warm the grapes to room temp for Hustin, so I had to provide her with the heater to try and make it up to her!