West Country Words
THE dictionary describes the adjective “proper” as meaning, amongst other things, accurate, correct, real, genuine, thorough and complete. No doubt it does, but to a Devonian, when it precedes the noun “job”, it forms part of a two word phrase which has far wider, more positive - even joyful - meaning than merely being the description of a task efficiently done.
Boy” of “Only Fools and Horses” fame will, in moments of triumph, rub his hands together and gleefully chirp, “Lovely Jubbly”, the Devonian will exclaim, delightedly, “Proper Job” - and all about him or her will know that the speaker is the recipient of great tidings or the like.
expression of happiness, contentment, success and achievement as can come from local lips, and is generally reserved for times of delight as opposed to just goodish news. And when spoken in this way, it has no negative; after all, at moments of disappointment or gloom, there will be no cry of “Improper Job” - will there?
“Proper” is often used here in the South West on its own, of course, and as an adverb. Very rarely, though, will it be spoken in the technically, correct fashion with the letters “ly” added.
illustrated by an admonishment of a father to his son, heard in a local street recently; clearly annoyed at what he saw as sloppy speech from his offspring, the fellow articulated the classic words, “‘ere boy, don’t ‘ee know ‘ow to talk proper.”
son, not at all happy at such criticism replied, with some spirit - “I do talk proper; us gets told off at school if us don’t talk proper”, whereupon his father shook his head sadly, and responded in a very
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His This is Certainly it is as positive an For where the irrepressible “Del
by Ted Sherrell
PROPER JOB
be a substitute adjective for
Where Del Boy will, in moments of triumph, rub his hands together and gleefully chirp, “Lovely Jubbly”, the Devonian will exclaim, delightedly, “Proper Job” - and all about him or her will know that the speaker is the recipient of great tidings
Devonian way by saying, “you’m a masterpiece, boy, and no mistake.” Now this is another word from a local tongue which is not in accordance with the dictionary description. That reference tome defines the word “masterpiece” as “a consummate piece of workmanship - best work”; the Devonshire way of using it, however, can be very different - indeed, virtually the opposite. For it can, when used in terms of someone’s behaviour, be an expression of criticism - and an extreme one, as well; certainly the aforementioned father is using the word as a n expression of great dismay - even, perhaps, despair - when commenting on his son’s bad grammar. The word is also often used to sum up someone’s character in general - and it rarely, if ever, has positive vibes; for to sum up someone with the phrase, “he’s (or she’s) a masterpiece” is to say that, at best, that person is somewhat eccentric, at worst, totally anti-social - perhaps even a menace.
Likewise, the work “master” itself is often used here in Devon in a non-complimentary way, tending to
“excessive” rather than conveying that someone is highly skilled in a noble art. In this direction, a fellow who is known to be a “ladies man” (a phrase which can mask a multitude of sins) might well be described as being “a master chap for the women”, whilst a lady somewhat over interested in and full of conjecture regarding the behaviour of those about her, could invite the comment that “er’s a master woman for gossip”. Mind you, in these gender conscious days, those who adhere rigidly to the dogma of political correctness might find fault with the use of the word “master” in this context, as the female version is never used - and with good reason; after all, to suggest that a lady is “a mistress woman to spend money,” or some such abuse, hardly rolls off the tongue with any ease. Anyway, those of us who use the Devonshire dialect are little worried by matters of P.C; brevity and clarity, in terms of communication, is the goal; if a single word - or a brace - can be adapted to convey meaning, information, even emotion, as clearly as would half a sentence, then there can be no better use of our rich, native tongue. “Proper”, “Master” and “Masterpiece” fall easily into this category, and should be prized; indeed, to use them is truly a “Proper Job.”
Ted Sherrell
Copies of two of Ted Sherrell’s more recent books -
“The Cutting of Mary Park - and other Devon Shire Tales” and “Fire And The Phoenix
Are Available in the Tavistock Times Office, 14 Brook Street, Tavistock
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