I found a couple of new-to-me words while reading the graphic novel, Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs.
1. diddicoi: Only half a dollar. I got it off a diddicoi down home.
A diddicoi is a gypsy or an itinerant tinker.
2. costermongers: Our street’s full of diddicois and costermongers.
A costermonger is a person who sells goods, especially fruit and vegetables, from a handcart in the street.
Gathering together our new words is a weekly tradition sponsored by the ever obdurate (persistent) Kathy at Bermuda Onion’s Weblog. Please visit her for more Wondrous Words Wednesday.
Going off at a tangent from your very English words, Rumer Godden wrote a lovely bokk for children called The Diddicoi. I am sure that your granddaughters would love it – and so would you!
What great words – I’m not sure I could say diddicoi with a straight face, though. Thanks for your kind description and your loyal participation, Margot!
Diddicoi has never crossed my path. I think that is one I would remember although I don’t think I’d have too many occasions to use it in a sentence. Costermongers I knew. Great choice of words today, Margot!
Diddicoi sounds like a great word, and now I’m interested to know about this book mentioned by FleurFisher as well!
I knew costermonger, from a book I read a couple years ago, but diddicoi is new to me.
I really like Diddicoi I wonder if I can use it this week?
For some reason, the spelling of “diddicoi” makes me laugh. Love your words.
http://readwithtea.blogspot.com/2010/07/wondrous-words.html
I love those! When we were lucky enough to visit London I made a list of English-English words or usages that I’d never heard of until then, but neither of these was on my list. Probably the days of both are gone in England as well. I have to go back and read your book review more carefully to see in what era it was set.
Who thought of diddicoi??? when gypsy is so much easier to say??