bally-cater

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1971
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/9705

ballicatter An expression describing ice around the shoreline. Usually it refers to ice around the wharfs, stages and 'ballast beds' . The 'bally - carter' remains around the shoreline after the barbour of cove is ice free in the spring. I also heard it used to described 'ice - up' rocks on headlands where hunters went to shoot sea birds. Often I heard the phrase used by older people to warn young men when they went (reverse of card) duck hunting in the winter and spring. 'Be careful and don't go too near the shore boy and step on the bally - carter'. Incidentally, the ice referred to is not ice that came from the ocean and was washed up on the shore. It is ice that has built up from snow falling and melting during the spring and being washed by the sea water. At the correct temperature sea water washing upon the coastline can breate very slippery 'bally-carter'. Yes DICT CEN. DNE-cit [23] Used I and Sup Used I 1 Used I This ia a "Newfoundland Folklore Survey" slip. This slip is written on both sides. refer to B_12954 for reverse.