mick2me 3,033 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Does anyone know the origin of the Term 'Duck' used in Nottingham? How long has it been used and how Widespread is it? I think its also used in some parts of Derbyshire? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 First shouted at Wellington by a Notts lad at Waterloo when he saw a cannonball heading straight for the Iron Dukes head. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 1066? "Eh up Harold, keep yer eye out fer that one duck" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlebro 234 Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 I was told that 'Duck' was a diminutive of 'Duchess'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Its also applied to men? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 As close as I could find for an origin was a reference a 1530-40 alteration of the Dutch word 'docke' meaning 'doll' which gave rise to the word duck, ducky, duckies, duckier and even duckiest being used in British slang: used as a term of endearment ie. dear; sweetheart; darling; pet, fine, wonderful, cute and charming.One other source advised it meant "darling or dear: used as a term of endearment among women, but now often used in imitation of the supposed usage by homosexual men". But the best find I made was this one, courtesy of the Online Etymology Dictionary.: -ducky: - "excellent," slang from 1897; probably not related to much earlier slang and meaning "a woman's breast" ["...whose pritty duckys I trust shortly to kysse," Henry VIII, letter to Anne Boleyn, c.1536]. Enough to make you quack up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bubblewrap 3,815 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 First used as a "nick name" for someone who was QUACKERS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 Thanks Ducks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 I heard it from my earliest days because my mum and dad always used it when speaking to each other, so I knew it as a phrase which was said to someone of the opposite sex. And for years I only heard it when it was used by a man speaking to a woman or vice-versa. I was in my early 20s before I ever heard it being used by man-to-man, and it came as a bit of a surprise. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephenFord 866 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 I seem to think "ma duck" was also used from adult to child (boy or girl) - and I agree that it was used in Derbyshire as well as our own fair county.. I also remember sometime in the 1970s, a man that I knew from Northern Ireland going into a shop in Matlock to buy a new tie that he fancied. After wrapping his purchase and taking his money, the young girl said, "Thanks duck." He hadn't come across the expression before, and looked at her in astonishment. There was a long awkward pause, then he said, "Duck? Do I look like a duck? It's one of the ugliest creatures on earth!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poohbear 1,360 Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 A dour Scot I worked with once said "Don't call me Jock!"...I said "I didn't ...I called you Duck!" He said "Don't call me that either"...I said ..."You'd better piss off back to Scotland then mate!" 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted February 4, 2013 Report Share Posted February 4, 2013 What happened to my post???? relating that " Me Duck" is used all the way up the Trent valley , even over as far as Crewe. Ducky is also used in the gay language Polari, it's a reference to a fellow queer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted February 4, 2013 Report Share Posted February 4, 2013 Polari?...............................how d'you know about that then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted February 4, 2013 Report Share Posted February 4, 2013 Cause I'm gay of course Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Perhaps a term used in restaurants for someone who had to pick up the bill. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scriv 168 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 I asked me Dad about this years ago. His explanation was that it is a corruption of "My Duke". Suspect Trevor S might be closer though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted May 25, 2013 Report Share Posted May 25, 2013 Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quack Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NewBasfordlad 3,599 Posted May 25, 2013 Report Share Posted May 25, 2013 I read somewhere that the 'ey up' bit is derived from a old norse greeting. Whilst 'mi duck' is from a anglo saxon respectful term duka literally duke. Colin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StephenFord 866 Posted May 25, 2013 Report Share Posted May 25, 2013 But neigh-up is an old horse greeting ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Many years ago i was working in Savemore' supermarket in Bulwell,and a real London lad started work there having just moved up,we were having a tea break on his 1st day,and he said to me,"you are a strange lot up here" i said you be ok when you get used to us,he said yes probably,but so far this morning ive been asked for 'chicken duck' Bacon duck' and sausage duck' what sort of bladdy Birds do you have up here ? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 As I understand it, it comes from someone who sold duck eggs from the back of a cart at the then Victorinex Centre in Notts, c. 1665. His sign read, 'Come and get me Ducks' and when you bought them, they were indeed ducklings. The cart was a hatch back. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Limey 242 Posted June 6, 2014 Report Share Posted June 6, 2014 Groan! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,530 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 For a few weeks we've had Mr and Mrs Mallard coming over regularly for a swim, once they've eaten all the fish food. However for the past couple of days only the female has been to our pond. I'm worried now that something's happened to her mate. Those falcons are only a mile or so down the road!!!Apologies for the quality of this pic but I took it from inside the house with my phone and had to zoom in. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,109 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 He's off on the razzle !!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,673 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Might have took off with another bird Rog 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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