Page:A Glossary of Berkshire Words and Phrases.djvu/124

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MAAIDEN.—This word is used in combination as thus, maaiden Downs are natural Downs, i.e., never planted nor broken up. Woods are said to be stocked with maaiden timber when there has been no previous felling.

MAAIDS.—Servant girls in a farm house. Vide also Gals.

MAAIN.—Very, extremely.

"I be maain tired ater that ther job."

The greater part.

"I thinks we hev a-killed the maain o' the rats up at Breach Verm an' ther bent none left to zi'nify."

MAAM.—To besmear; as a child may besmear face or hands with jam.

MAAMY.—Soft soil which is not very wet, but where the foot sinks in, is thus described.

Also 'besmeared.'

MAAY.—The flower of the Whitethorn. In the "Maay" the leaf appears before the flower, whilst the Blackthorn shows the flower before the leaf.

MAAY HAP.—Possibly, perhaps.

MAAY HORNS.—These are made by boys from the rind of the Withy, wound round and round; a smaller piece being wound also and inserted at the smaller end. They give forth a most doleful but far reaching sound.

MAAYRY, or MEA-RY.—Mary.

MAAYKE AWAAY WI'.—To kill.

"I be a-gwaain to maayke awaay wi' my dog, vor thaay tells I as a goes ater the ship o' nights."

To spend too freely.

MAAYKE HAAY.—Boys use this expression when heaping together the miscellaneous belongings of another who has made himself obnoxious and pouring water over the whole.

"To maayke haay while the zun shines" is to set to work vigorously at a thing when circumstances are favourable.