In our first act of vernacular archiving and distribution, we'll look at the long under-used and mildly insulting phrase: Chanty Rassler. The excellent Glasgow poet Tom Leonard gave the phrase a good outing in his Glaswegian reworking of the 10 Commandments called 'Feed Ma Lamz,' included below.
According to the Concise Scots Dictionary, which was never one for representing the silver tongue of Glasgow fairly, a "chanty" is simply a chamber pot, whilst a "rassler" or "wrastler" is a wrestler. So what we have here is a classic case of someone who wrestles chamber pots. Not a nice job; wrestling pots and pans in the kitchen may be more up your street. True to say that wrestling a semi-festering pot of warm pish isn't the best CV-filler in the world. In days of yore the well-heeled would have a servant to empty their pot, and so by employing this mild insult, you're essentially calling someone a low-down servant.
According to the Concise Scots Dictionary, which was never one for representing the silver tongue of Glasgow fairly, a "chanty" is simply a chamber pot, whilst a "rassler" or "wrastler" is a wrestler. So what we have here is a classic case of someone who wrestles chamber pots. Not a nice job; wrestling pots and pans in the kitchen may be more up your street. True to say that wrestling a semi-festering pot of warm pish isn't the best CV-filler in the world. In days of yore the well-heeled would have a servant to empty their pot, and so by employing this mild insult, you're essentially calling someone a low-down servant.
Chanty Wrassling Exercise
Why not try out this insult on your loved-ones or your colleagues at work to see if it works; follow it up by demanding that they bring you tea, but offer no explanation. You never know, you may just get a biff on the nose, thereby proving the insult's efficacy.
Alternatively, start using a chanty but never empty it. Wait until your partner starts to complain of the awful smell, but remain resolute in your intention not to empty the chanty. Eventually, they will take the initiative and reluctantly empty the chanty themselves- this is your opportunity to pounce with the chanty wrasslin insult.
Feel free to post your results once you have undertaken these exercises. The Rubber Ear will assess them free of charge.
Feel free to post your results once you have undertaken these exercises. The Rubber Ear will assess them free of charge.
Feed Ma Lamz
Amyir gaffirrz Gaffir. Hark.
nay fornirz ur communists
nay langwij
nay lip
nay laffin ina sunday
nay g.b.h. (septina wawr)
nay nooky huntn
nay tea-leaven
nay chanty rasslin
nay nooky huntn nix doar
nur kuvitn their ox
Oaky doaky. Stick way it.
- rahl burn thi lohta yiz.
Tom Leonard
from Intimate Voices 1965-1983
Very brilliant sir!
ReplyDeleteFair braw ...so t'was.
ReplyDeleteA Scottish Daily Express colleague (Glaswegian Jim McGuire, now domiciled in Helensburgh) would often refer to me as a chanty rassler. I think it was a term of mischievous endearment.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was someone who after they had used the chanty refused to get up off it and therefore manipulated others waiting
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ReplyDelete