Category Archives: New Hampshire Glossary

New Hampshire Glossary: Operative

Posted on 17 June, 2017 by Janice Brown

The term operative was used in several ways during New Hampshire’s history. In 1762 lye was said to be an operative, while in 1785 the poison of a rattlesnake was described as being operative, each meaning they had a strong … Continue reading →

Posted in History, New Hampshire Glossary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Hampshire’s Cranberry Bogs and Meadows

Posted on 27 November, 2014 by Janice Brown

When I hear the word cranberry, I most often things of masses of bobbing, minute fruit in Massachusetts or New Jersey bogs, although I know it grows in other states too. It was not until recently that I discovered that … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Native Peoples, New Hampshire Glossary, Really Old News, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New Hampshire Glossary: Steeplejack (and Steeplejill)

Posted on 29 June, 2014 by Janice Brown

A chance encounter with a blog story about a Baltimore Steeplejack suddenly raised my awareness of an interesting New England occupation–a steeplejack.  And yes, I know steeples can be found outside of the northeast, but we probably have more per … Continue reading →

Posted in History, New Hampshire Glossary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New Hampshire Glossary: Tableaux

Posted on 5 December, 2013 by Janice Brown

Also called “Tableau” and “Tableau vivant“, these words describe a custom posed scene consisting of actors (either amateur or professional), often in costume with backdrops, created for  entertainment purposes. One of the most popular stage entertainments of the nineteenth century … Continue reading →

Posted in History, New Hampshire Glossary | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

New Hampshire Glossary: Skylarking and Watermelon Frolics

Posted on 23 March, 2013 by Janice Brown

“Clowning around, acting up, horsing around, showing off, showboating” — all of these are terms that probably bring energetic pranks to mind.  While researching the “Squog” section of Manchester, New Hampshire, I came across a sad newspaper notice about one … Continue reading →

Posted in New Hampshire Glossary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment