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Usenet Posted 21 years ago
English in UK
Nesh
Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East Midlands (i.e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative term meaning "prone to feeling the cold". It was the first time I've heard it since I lived in North Staffs (1970s). A quick web search suggests it's also seen as a dialect word of Yorks, Lancs, Cheshire, Cumbria and mid Wales, though in some areas it just means soft.
It's not in COD (9th) but does seem to appear in 10th, acording to a Googled comment on another NG. The only dictionary I have which mentions it is the Imperial Dictionary of 1850 which gives it as an obsolete term meaning soft, tender, nice from AS "nesc". (Not a reliable source for etymologies).
Does anybody know more about its origin? I wonder if it's use is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.
Phil C.
It's not in COD (9th) but does seem to appear in 10th, acording to a Googled comment on another NG. The only dictionary I have which mentions it is the Imperial Dictionary of 1850 which gives it as an obsolete term meaning soft, tender, nice from AS "nesc". (Not a reliable source for etymologies).
Does anybody know more about its origin? I wonder if it's use is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.
Phil C.
Top answer
e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ... [/nq] Did I really write its and it's in the same paragraph?
- e.
- Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ...
- [/nq] Did I really write its and it's in the same paragraph?
- Obviously an imposter or a typo.
- I have established, though, that "nesh" didn't extend as far down as north Northants.
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34 Answers
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[nq:1]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East Midlands (i.e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ... is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
Did I really write its and it's in the same paragraph? Obviously an imposter or a typo. I have established, though, that "nesh" didn't extend as far down
Did I really write its and it's in the same paragraph? Obviously an imposter or a typo. I have established, though, that "nesh" didn't extend as far down
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[nq:1]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East Midlands (i.e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ... is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
It is also a Yorkshire dialect word which I recognized immediately.
It is in The Yorkshire Dictionary by Arnold Kellett with much the same meanin
It is also a Yorkshire dialect word which I recognized immediately.
It is in The Yorkshire Dictionary by Arnold Kellett with much the same meanin
00
[nq:1]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East Midlands (i.e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ... is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.
Ray
Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.
Ray
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[nq:1]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East Midlands (i.e. Nottingham) regional news presenter as a mildly pejorative ... is becoming more widespread - it is a genuinely useful term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
According to the big one, it's from OE nescian and connected to modern Flemish, neschen, to wet.
Earliest reference provided c. 897., latest 1471.
According to the big one, it's from OE nescian and connected to modern Flemish, neschen, to wet.
Earliest reference provided c. 897., latest 1471.
00
[nq:2]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East ... term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
[nq:1]According to the big one, it's from OE nescian and connected to modern Flemish, neschen, to wet. Earliest reference provided ... trans. to make soft, obs.; 3. dial. with it. to turn faint-hearted (to funk it). Also Neshhead, Neshly & Neshness.[/nq]
Thanks. Did its use an a
[nq:1]According to the big one, it's from OE nescian and connected to modern Flemish, neschen, to wet. Earliest reference provided ... trans. to make soft, obs.; 3. dial. with it. to turn faint-hearted (to funk it). Also Neshhead, Neshly & Neshness.[/nq]
Thanks. Did its use an a
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[nq:1]Thanks. Did its use an adjective elude them?[/nq]
No. Viz (citations omitted):
Forms: a. 1 hnesce, (hnysce, hnisce; nesc, næsc), 2 nexce, neche, 3?5 nesche, nesshe, 4 ness(ss)e, 4?5 nessche, 5?6 neshe; 4?5 nesch, ness(h, 5? nesh. b. 3 neys(se, 4? 5 neische, -sshe, neysshe, (5 -ssche, neyshe), 4 neisch, -ssh, 5 neysch(e, naysch(e, 9 dial. naish, U.S. dial. nish. c. 5 nassh(e, 6 Sc. na
No. Viz (citations omitted):
Forms: a. 1 hnesce, (hnysce, hnisce; nesc, næsc), 2 nexce, neche, 3?5 nesche, nesshe, 4 ness(ss)e, 4?5 nessche, 5?6 neshe; 4?5 nesch, ness(h, 5? nesh. b. 3 neys(se, 4? 5 neische, -sshe, neysshe, (5 -ssche, neyshe), 4 neisch, -ssh, 5 neysch(e, naysch(e, 9 dial. naish, U.S. dial. nish. c. 5 nassh(e, 6 Sc. na
00
[nq:2]Today I heard the word "nesh" used by an East ... term for which I can't think of an obvious synonym.[/nq]
[nq:1]Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.[/nq]
It was slightly pejorative in my youth in Nottingham. Nesh kids were also prone to be mardy - sulky and whining.
Both words are in COD10.
wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignal
[nq:1]Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.[/nq]
It was slightly pejorative in my youth in Nottingham. Nesh kids were also prone to be mardy - sulky and whining.
Both words are in COD10.
wrmst rgrds
Robin Bignal
00
[nq:2]Thanks. Did its use an adjective elude them?[/nq]
[nq:1]No. Viz (citations omitted):[/nq]
(Snip)
Oops! Mea culpa. I've got the two volume Compact Edition (4 pages reduced per page) and my sight isn't as good as it used to be (when I bought it in the early 70s, I hardly ever required the magnifying glass provided); I saw the verb entry on page 98 and totally failed to see the prec
[nq:1]No. Viz (citations omitted):[/nq]
(Snip)
Oops! Mea culpa. I've got the two volume Compact Edition (4 pages reduced per page) and my sight isn't as good as it used to be (when I bought it in the early 70s, I hardly ever required the magnifying glass provided); I saw the verb entry on page 98 and totally failed to see the prec
00
[nq:1]Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.[/nq]
It's a normal part of my vocabulary (London, but my parents came from Yorkshire).
Katy
It's a normal part of my vocabulary (London, but my parents came from Yorkshire).
Katy
00
[nq:2]Definitely a dialect word from my youth, in Shropshire and one I still use occasionally.[/nq]
[nq:1]It was slightly pejorative in my youth in Nottingham. Nesh kids were also prone to be mardy - sulky and whining.[/nq]
Not surprising if they were feeling parky.
[nq:1]Both words are in COD10.[/nq]
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)
[nq:1]It was slightly pejorative in my youth in Nottingham. Nesh kids were also prone to be mardy - sulky and whining.[/nq]
Not surprising if they were feeling parky.
[nq:1]Both words are in COD10.[/nq]
Laura
(emulate St. George for email)
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