when they'd be small

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/7221

be v M. They used to tell 'em about the Boo-man , you know, when they'd be small, see, .to try to get 'em to sleep. (IF) they was h_ard to go sleep,see. Their nerves was stronger than what they is now.There's no trouble to get 'em(to)sleep now.You want somethin' now to wake 'em up! It wants a Boo-man to wake the buggers up! They don't get up eleven o' clock in the day 'cause they're no good! JW. What would they xx say in the old days to try and get 'em to sleep for the Boo-man? How would they say it? M. Oh they say,"The Boo-man is comin' after you!" and they smack 'em on the back!And,"Go to sleep then!" And when they got up a little HARDIER then, they called that feller the Devil Ah! And he's not come yet!The call he the Devil then. JW. And what else would they threaten the Boo-man on them for? Going to sleep,and what else would they use the Boo-man for? M. Oh,[IF]they wouldn't be good (OR) anything, or they.they be goin' around,you know, and shiftin' stuff and.SO ON like that. You had to sit there (AND STOP) quiet! JW. And what would they say to them then? M. Eh? JW. And what.how would they say it to them then, when they were being naughty? M. Oh they say THAT.(THAT THE)Boo-man on the (FIRST? ) ,and THEN [IT] would be the Devil! ."The Devil is comin' to take you!" [SAID IN A LOUD AND THREATENING VOICE BY INFORMANT/ .They wouldn't MIND (WHO?).THEY HEAVEDTHATON That the same as I heave it out now!And the child(I KNOW)still (want to TAKE ??). I (TOSS 'EM CLEAR??) AND i CAN LAUGH AT that stuff! (THE FLU ??). WHEN THEY started with the BOO-man first, and then it [WOULD] be the Devil . JW. And would they threaten 'em when they went to a[dangerous place]like the well you were OVER. Yes TT 274 J. WIDDOSON _The Boo-man_. _Devil_. Used I and Sup Not used Not used Card says more is written on reverse, but back of card is blank (it is pasted onto an index card). Phonetic transcriptions appear through quote - they are not included here.