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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST, Mikefule Folklore: What does 'tarried mean? (53* d) RE: Folklore: or BS?, What does 'tarried mean? 25 Oct 03


Tarry in the context of the song lyric quoted seems to mean "waited, hung around," that sort of thing.

One often sees quaint (pseudo) little notices saying things like, "Tarry a while" inviting the traveller to stop and rest (and buy a drink!)

I suppose it means much the same as 'dally'.   It's a perfectly normal English word. It's not in every day use, and would now be used for effect because it is slightly archaic.

Concise Oxford Dictionary has "archaic or literary: defer coming or going; linger, stay, wait; be tardy. Middle English, origin uncertain."

(Also 'Tarry' with a long 'a' "of or like or smeared with tar.") ;0)


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