Бунтлинг: Калифорниялық құпия тіл

Argot spoken in Boonville, California

Boontling is a jargon or argot spoken only in Boonville, California. It was created in the 1890s. Today, it is nearly extinct, and fewer than 100 people still speak it. It has an Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) sub tag of boont (i. e. en boont). The lingo has become somewhat infamous, at least in local circles or within the legends of California, owing to its small town nature and curious sounding nomination, as well as its very limited speakership. The language gained attention in the 1960s and 1970s from researchers like Myrtle R. Rawles and Charles C. Adams, as well as publicity brought from Boontling speaker Bobby (Chipmunk) Glover and historian Jack (Wee Fuzz) June.

Although Boontling is based on English, many of its unusual words are unique to Boonville, California. Scottish Gaelic and Irish, and some Pomoan and Spanish words also contribute to this jargon. Boontling was invented in the late 19th century and had quite a following at the turn of the 20th century. It is now mostly spoken by aging counter culturists and native Anderson Valley residents. Because the town of Boonville has only a little more than 700 residents, Boontling is an extremely esoteric jargon, and is quickly becoming archaic. It has over a thousand unique words and phrases.

The Anderson Valley, of which Boonville is the largest town, was an isolated farming, ranching, and logging community during the late 19th century. There are several differing versions as to the origin of Boontling. Some assert that the jargon was created by the women, children, and young men in the hop fields and sheep shearing sheds as a means of recreation, and that it spread through the community as the children continued using it when they grew up. Myrtle R. Rawles explains that Boontling was started by the children of Boonville as a language game which enabled them to speak freely in front of elders without being understood. It is believed that the jargon originated from Ed (Squirrel) Clement and Lank McGimsey, circa 1890.

fair and right a person – one who would give or lend money. fiddlers – delirium tremens. fister – a fight. forbes – a half dollar: four bits. Frati – wine: Mr. Frati was a local vineyardist.

gannow – apple: Spanish for a type of apple (gano). glimmer – a kerosene lamp. glow worm – a lantern. gorm – to eat or overeat: from the French word gourmandise meaning to eat greedily. greeley – a newspaper, or a newspaper reporter, perhaps from famous newspaperman Horace Greeley. greeny – loss of temper; to throw a greeny or temper tantrum.

haireem – a dog. (From "hairy mouth", since Airedale Terriers were popular in Anderson Valley.) harp – to talk. harpin' tidrick – a lengthy discussion, especially in Boontling (see also: tidrick). hedge – a haircut. heelch – all; everything: A greedy person when invited to share food and drink would take the heelch: possibly from "whole cheese". high gun – to beat to the draw. high heel – to arrest. The local sheriff had one leg shorter than the other so he wore one high heeled boot. high heeler – an arresting officer. high pockets – a person of wealth: the wealthiest man in the area was six feet six inches tall. high pockety – rich; having money. high roller – someone from neighboring Yorkville. higgs – money. higged or higgied – having money. hob or hobneelch a Saturday night dance. (From the hobnailed boots that were popular in the valley.) hog rings – a large vagina. hood – a peculiar person; person different from the ordinary: a new family moved into the valley and the children wore hoods all day long. hoot – to laugh. hooter – a loud laugher. horn – a drink of liquor. horn of zeese – a drink of coffee. See also "zeese".

jape – to drive, generally a car. japer – a driver of a car. Jeffer – a fire, generally a big fire: Jeff Vestal, owner of the Boonville Hotel, built big fires in the parlor and elsewhere. Jenny Beck – a tattletale; a stool pigeon: Jenny Beck was a local gossiper and told many tall tales. Jay Esser – a lawsuit: from a well known lawsuit between J. S. Ornbaun et al.

lengthy – a doe deer. Levi – to telephone: Walter Levi was the first to make use of the telephone in Boont. See also "walter", "bucky walter". lizzie – pregnant. locking – a wedding. locking match – an anticipated wedding; engagement to marry. log lifter – a heavy winter storm.

nettied – all dressed up; wearing an abundance of lace, ribbons, and finery. nonch – no good; bad: blend of "not much".

old dame – a man's wife. old dusties – hell. oshtook – a person with one eye: a Native American word. Otto – to work hard: from a local hard working German settler whose given name was Otto.

pack em out billies – dirty socks. paper skull – a small deer. Peak'ed Heads – members of Oddfellows' Lodge, usually used by non members. peeril – to rain. pearlin – light rain. pick em up – (1) a person starting a fight; (2) a method of breaking a horse by elevating one foot. pike – to go; to travel. pusseek – a female cat.

seertail or sirtle – a salmon. sharkin' or sharkin' match – fighting; also used to describe Boontlingers attempting to out do each other by coming up with a new word. shoveltooth – a medical doctor. [after a local doctor who had protruding front teeth]
skee – whiskey. skype – a preacher (from "sky pilot"). sol – the sun, from the Spanish. Sol's grandmother or Saul's grandmother – dead. somersetting – being overemotional or sentimental; head over heels. (from "turned somerset")
spat – a .22 caliber rimfire rifle. steedos – a stallion; stud horse. stiff hat – professional fighters. straight neck – a person of German descent. sunnies – pretty; sunny day.

Uke – Ukiah.

zeese – coffee: Zachariah Clifton "Z. C." or Zeese Blevens was a coffee drinker who liked his coffee strong.