Starving can mean the same here in Lancashire as well, Burl. I'm not sure of the meaning in John O'Greenfields ramble though.

Both clemin' and starvin', bout e'en a farthin...

I guess in context it could be either!

On the original topic I must say I am very interested. I often wondered myself and must admit that for ages I assumed it should have been 'Shuttle' rather than 'Guttle'. Born and bred in Lancs I thought I would have come across it before but it certainly wasn't common around the Salford/Swinton area. But then again it always amazes me how such a small area can produce such a wealth of different 'languages'!

Thanks for the info all and to Vince for bringing it up.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome