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Anonymous Posted 7 years ago
Vocabulary

Meaning?

Hi,

Would you please tell me what is the meaning of "whittled carvings" and"dipped snuff" in the following text?

The curiosity wasn't limited to the few courthouse regulars who whittled carvings and dipped snuff under the old oaks on the line while waiting for some action inside.

Thanks

  

Top answer

"Whittling" used to be very popular in the US, up until as recently as the 1950's. A man would take a stick, say, about 6 inches long, by an inch and a half in diameter, and, using a sharp pocket knife, cut away ("whittle away") pieces of it until something like a recognizable figure emerged in the wood. But more often, one would just whittle away pieces of the stick until very little of it remained, and then you'd start up the same process on a new stick.

  • "Whittling" used to be very popular in the US, up until as recently as the 1950's.
  • A man would take a stick, say, about 6 inches long, by an inch and a half in diameter, and, using a sharp pocket knife, cut away ("whittle away") pieces of it until something like a recognizable figure emerged in the wood.
  • But more often, one would just whittle away pieces of the stick until very little of it remained, and then you'd start up the same process on a new stick.
  • This was a harmless and folksy way of passing time for a man, which you just don't see anymore in today's society.
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2 Answers
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"Whittling" used to be very popular in the US, up until as recently as the 1950's. A man would take a stick, say, about 6 inches long, by an inch and a half in diameter, and, using a sharp pocket knife, cut away ("whittle away") pieces of it until something like a recognizable figure emerged in the wood. But more often, one would just whittle away pieces of the stick until very little of it

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anonymouson the line

This doesn't make obvious sense, and Google search reveals that the original says "on the lawn".

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