bas

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Bell Island; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/9647

bazz v hope of winning his opponent's ally. If the second ally alighted in a spot so near to that of the former that the second player was able to "completely cover" both allies with the fingers of one hand, it was declared a _taker_ (take her?) and the second player promptly claimed the ally of this opponent. Now if the second player's ally alighted in such a position that its owner was only able to "touch" both allies it was deemed a _nailer_ (nail her?) and this player was permitted another _bas_ in an attempt to bring his ally closer to that of his opponent and so to produce a _taker_. The game usually continued until one of the players was _shelled out_ (that is, had lost all his marbles). A player had a variety of allies of assorted colours and sizes, but the universal favourites were _pee-wees_ (very tiny allies, usually of a solid colour) and the very large species, usually multi-colored, were generally referred to as _timers_ (a five-timer and a ten-timer being the most common.) Comment. A lady who has lived in several Newfoundland communities told me she had never heard of the game nor consequently of its peculiar terms until she and her family moved to Bell Island. My father, a native of the community said he believed it was unique. Used I Not used Not used This is the reverse of B_3157.