Thursday, October 11, 2012

Trumpery

In Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, there is an animated exchange between several slaves. Finally, Dinah the cook puts and end to it with this statement, "I'd like to have Missis say which is worth the most, -- a couple such as you, or one like me. Get out wid ye, ye trumpery, -- I won't have ye round!"

Trumpery is a word not often used nowadays, although it can be heard occasionally on Ocracoke. Webster's defines the word as "trivial or useless articles." Blanche defines it as "things of little or no value, but held onto anyway."

Just one more traditional island word to add to your vocabulary!

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a gallery of photos of fences on Howard Street and Lawton Lane. To go directly to the this month's Newsletter click here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092112.htm.

6 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:11 AM

    My attic is full of trumpery.

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  2. Now I'm wondering if I'm Trumpery...

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  3. Anonymous8:26 AM

    The Obama administration's policies are plain trumpery for the American people. Just reading about them make me down right qualmish. Seems only a dingbatter could approve of them. Oh well, no fools no fun...

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  4. Anonymous11:42 AM

    The shovel ready transportation projects that were funded by the stimulus were trumpery. Shovel ready ?? who uses a shovel other than six guys to watch the one guy doing the work? This election will have the largest possible turnout before all the voter suppression state amendments are voted in ( approved of an amendment does not mean yes READ the WORDS and comprehend... thats if that is what U want otherwise educate yourself on all the state level "trumpery" on your ballot it is not trumpery it is your tax dollars spend them wisely Take Back Give Back ----- Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your Country
    that includes the "47%"

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  5. Anonymous5:06 PM

    you guys are running out of things to talk about.

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  6. Anonymous4:08 AM

    here is plenty to talk about-- now a farm bill - what exactly is in the pages and pages of riders to the farm Bill please what is the farm bill before the senate?? charter schools foreign aid EDC electronic debit cards for AFDC -- aid to families with dependent children etc -- what happened to barter? windfall profits no child left behind at the gas station

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