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02 Jun 13 - 08:29 AM (#3521845) Subject: Bonnie Birdie From: Susan of DT In Child #82, Bonnie Birdie, what is she beating the bird with? An ga her a little wee simmer-dale wanny, To ding me sindle and saft. And got her a little something to hit me something and something. Is wanny a wand? |
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02 Jun 13 - 08:42 AM (#3521849) Subject: RE: Bonnie Birdie From: DMcG That's how I have always understood the line. 'ding me Sindle and saft' is, broadly speaking, tease me playfully. |
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02 Jun 13 - 08:54 AM (#3521853) Subject: RE: Bonnie Birdie From: DMcG Glad you asked: I've just checked the Oxford English Dictionary (1928 edition) as I know 'ding' usually means to hit or strike. 'Sindle' is listed as a variant of sendle, which means seldom. So it seems to mean something like 'discipline me seldom and gently'. This contrasts with the later line where she dings the bird 'sair an aft' (sorely and often). |
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02 Jun 13 - 09:58 AM (#3521875) Subject: RE: Bonnie Birdie From: Susan of DT thanx. What is the simmer-dale wanny? |
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02 Jun 13 - 10:11 AM (#3521881) Subject: RE: Bonnie Birdie From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Susan Child comes with a glossary, you know, in the last volume. All the words you ask about are listed. Child gives wanny as: small wand, rod and sindle as DMcG says meaning seldom and ding as to beat or knock. Mick |