Nfld/Lab Slang Heritage

Newfoundland Tsunami 1929

EAST COAST HERITAGE VIGNETTE

When we think of tidal waves caused by a tsunami occuring; it’s usually a phenomenom far from our reach in Asia or some other southern climates. Newfoundland; however, suffered through the devastation of it’s own tsunami on November 18th, 1929. What would be a calm evening would soon errupt into disaster and devastation.

5pm: It all began with an earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale. It hit the area known as the Grand Banks which is about 400 km south of Newfoundland.

7:30pm: The first wave; called a trough wave, hit the southern coast on the Burin Peninsula. This wave would then roll back exposing the ocean floor. This caused many boats in the various harbours to topple sideways. Minutes later, three more massive waves pounded the peninsula with a sea level that swelled by about 20 feet. These waves pulverized about 40 communities all along the coast of Placentia Bay. Approximately 100 homes were destroyed in Point au Gaul alone.

8pm: It was all over! In it’s wake; it caused massive destruction , sweeping people out to sea, destroying homes, harbours, boats and literally anything in the way. Twenty Eight people were confirmed to have perished in the disaster and hundreds were left destitute.

In the aftermath; all means of communication were severed and there was no help from outside sources. It took 3 long days for word to reach the St John’s Authorities and for help to arrive. The people were alone! Imagine…I can’t even begin to but now you know ….

Guy Fawkes Night

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Celebrated on November 5th in Newfoundland.

If you are lucky enough to live in Newfoundland ; most of you are familiar with Guy Fawkes Night. Do you know just who Guy Fawkes is? Are you familiar with the origin of this celebration? Just how did his name become synonymous with Bonfire Night in Newfoundland?

The Conspiracy

Guy Fawkes Night originates from a conspiracy that dates way back to the year 1605; in London, England. It was a very daring scheme hatched up by a radical group of English Catholic people. Lead by Robert Catesby; their sole intention was to overthrow the ruling English Protestant government and establish a Catholic Monarch on the throne. So they plotted to bomb the House of Lords in Westminsterl; with King James 1 in it.

The Gunpowder Plot

Now; just how did they go about this lavish scheme you say? Well; they leased a room under the Parliament building and They proceeded to fill this room up with 2 tons of gunpowder. Obviously security; at the time, was lax and this activity went unnoticed for quite some time. But rumors began circulating in the city of a plot to bomb the House of Lords. Eventually; the authorities got wind of this dastardly deed. On the morning of November 5, 1605; King James 1 and his members of Parliament were set to re-convene. Due to the present rumors of a threat a thorough search was conducted of the Parlisment Buildings. Low and behold; they found one Guy Fawkes lurking in the cellar; guarding a massive collection of explosives.

The Capture of Guy Fawkes

Now Guy was not about to co-operate with the authorities and acted quite confused as to why he was being arrested. He confessed that his name was John Johnson and claimed he was just guarding the contraband for a local man named Mr. Percy. He was sticking to his story! King James was soon made aware of the deadly plot and Guy’s non-compliance. So; he decided a little torture was in order. Well after a couple of days of this; old Guy started singin’ like a jaybird. He gave up his true identity, implicated the co-conspirators and confessed to the crime. They were all arrested, found guilty of high treason and sentenced to hang, drawn and quartered in London. on January 31, 1606. Over the years; the scheme to bomb the Parliament became known as the ”Gunpowder Plot.”

Celebrating King James 1

To honour the King’s escape from this conniving plot; the Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the day (Nov 5) by lighting huge bonfires. This tradition began in the United Kigdom and soon spread to all the British Colonies. In present day Canada; it is mainly celebratd in Newfoundland. Due to bonfire regulations in major cities, the whole celebration has been toned down to a social event. But in the more rural communities, bonfires roar!

Who is Guy Fawkes

So what of Guy Fawkes? How did he get involved in these shenanigans? Guy was born in to a Protestant family in York, England in 1570. He converted to Catholicism after his father died and his mother remarried to a Catholic gentleman. At the age of 21 he left England to travel the continent. He soon became a mercenary for wars and associated himself with like minded individuals. And so began his scheme to start a Catholic rebellion in 1604. Upon his death; it was reported that he was not actually hung like his co-conspirators. As he was called to meet his fate; he jumped off the platform, breaking his neck and died immediately at the young age of 36. So there you have it! That’s what happened to Guy Fawkes.

To this day; when Parliament convenes in Westminster, a thorough search of the cellars is conducted. It is very much a ceremonial search by official recreators, dressed in period attire and carrying old fashioned lanterns.

So there you have it. The story of the night Guy Fawkes got caught in the great scheme to overthrow the Protestant Government. Do you celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Do you make a roaring bonfire to commemorate his failure?

Newfoundland Emmigration

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Newfoundland and Labrador is an island located in the most north, easterly point of Canada. This province is deep rooted in fishing with a very rich history and culture to boot. Now it you ever had the opportunity to live or travel there; you would experience a very “different feel” than in any other part of our country. Who played a big role in Newfoundland Emmigration?How did this all come about..you say?

Boats with backdrop of homes & museum in Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada

Who Discovered Nfld

There are recent discoveries of a Norse prescence in the area around 1000ad. This was in and around the northern tip of the province, at L’anse aux Meadows. However; for many years all historical recordings of settlers to the area were documented once John Cabot was in the area; in 1497. At this time; his trip to the area was commissioned by the King of England to discover new lands. Shortly thereafter; many European fishing vessels expanded their fishing to the area. Word soon spread that Newfoundland had the best fishing in all of the great North Atlantic. Cod became King!

Vintage engraving showing fishermen fishing for cod on the Great Bank of Newfoundland, 19th Century

Supply and Demand

Cod was in abundance! The fishing industry had the potential for great prosperity. Naturally the cod had to be dried and salted before being sent back over the Atlantic. So as a result of the supply and demand; many seasonal settlements began appearing all around the Island’s coast. Fishing and export was booming!

Houses perched on the flanks of the cliff of the Battery at the entrance to St. John’s harbor, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Cod is King

England realized that fishing was a major resource here. They sent Sir Humphrey Gilbert to the easterly coast of St. John’s in 1538. He formally took posession of the island for England. France; also wanting a piece of the action, appointed their own governor. He set up operations in Placentia; in 1655. So there you have it! A major international stand off between two major world powers. Whoever controlled the Island would control the fishing industry.

Old man and the sea, in a rowboat or skiff paddling and fighting the waves of the ocean.

Treaty of Utrecht

European people were wanting to emmigrate to the area because of the opportunities presented. They were reluctant due to the political situation between the French and the English. Nothing was settled until 1713 when the French signed the Treaty of Utrecht. This treaty gave the French the right to land and cure fish on the western coast of Newfoundland only. It also gave them the island if St. Pierre and Miquelon on which to set up a permanent base. Port Royal; in present day Nova Scotia, fell to the English in 1710. England then controlled the whole of the North Atlantic Coast. As a result they controlled the fishing industry.

Coastal Settlers

The English settlers soon began emmigrating to Newfoundland. However; the process was slow due to the haphazard economy and lack of infrastructure on the island. It was not until the 1800’s that things picked up. A banking system was established and prosperity was booming. Emmigration to Newfoundland increased extensively all along the Islands coastal waters. The Irish began to flock to the area during the Potato Famine and soon made up 40% of the population. Even today Newfoundland has about 80% of its population within a stones throw of the coast. This leaves a vast part of the interior of the province undeveloped and under populated.

Kiss the Cod

Now in most areas, oil can drive an economy. But when you look at Newfoundland; the economy was driven by one little fish. COD! So what drove the emmigration in Newfoundland you say? Well now you know! That one little fish! So when you venture there; its tradition to honor their cod. Its the backbone of the economy and who they are. Honor the people with The Kissing of the Cod and become one with the Newfoundlanders.

Newfoundland/Labrador Slang

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Newfoundland & Labrador is Canada’s most easterly province. It is completely surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Ferry crossings over the Cabot Strait from North Sydney NS to Port-aux-Basque Nfld is approximately a 6 hour ride. The Rock is the endearing name for this area. Just look at how houses are built on all that rock! And you know…Newfoundland/Labrador slang is the best slang you will ever; in all your born days, hear spoken!

The Lay of the Land

The Appalachian Mountain Range extends up to this area and includes the Long Range Mountains and the Tongat Mountains. Gros Morne National Park is part of this mountain range and it is an explorers dream to venture here. These mountains offer up the best skiing, hiking, fjords, lakes, glaciers, waterfalls, shore birds, and cliffs for fun seekers of adventure. Marble Mountain is a skiiers heaven. The most easterly part of the Appalachian Mountains extends into and includes the Terra Nova National park, the Boreal Forest, Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay. Miles and miles of spectacular mountain views and of course rock formations! Just check out the beautiful area known as The Battery. It speaks for itself!

Heritage

The Nfld/Lab Heritage of early settlers to this area were English, Irish and the Paleo Natives. Since then; there are new discoveries of a Viking presence in the Lanse Aux Meadow area. East Coast pioneers first settled around the coastal areas. The fishing and lumbering industry was viewed as a prosperous venture and this sustained the islanders for generations. The area is well known for cod, salmon, seal, whale, fishing and export. Farming would have been a challenge on this rocky ground but East Coasters surely always find a way. Good strong stock these Newfoundlanders be!

Adventures to Explore

There are numerous historical sights, attractions, coves, inlets, harbours and coastal communities for the adventurer to explore. When you stand at the lighthouse in Cape Spear you are on the most easterly point of North America. ‘Magine that now! Signal Hill overlooks St John’s harbour and when you stand on this point you see the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean. The spectacular views of the massive ice burgs flowing down Ice Burg Alley are a sight to behold! Trips to the northerly and picturesque Fogo Island are great for artists to share. Wouldn”t y’all just love to explore all this? Waterways are everywhere and you will find some of the best Salmon fishing.

Culture

Visiting here you just have to immerse yourself into the local culture and experience the colorful Nfld/Lab Heritage. Along George Street you can have a feed of the traditional foods like fried cod cheeks, cod tongues, jiggs dinner, touton, flipper pie, and scrunchions. Can anybody identify all these? Better yet have you eaten it? You can’t miss out on the tradition of being screeched in or kissing the cod or dancing to good ol’ Nfld tunes. Y’all can’t tell me you didn’t have a time visiting there. I haven’t been but it sure is on my list of Git’er dones.

Gatherings

The people of this area are known to be hospitable, warm, inviting and friendly. Their accents and familiar expressions are unique to their own. You just might need an interpreter to understand what is being said. It’s the true capital of slang and definitely has its very own secret language. Gather with the locals and try to learn some NewfoundlandLabrador slang. Aint no party like the music, singing, dancing and story tellin’ like there is over here.

Royal St John’s Regatta
Exploits Valley Salmon Festival in Grand Falls

Slang

Here are a few East Coast Nfld/Lab Slang sayings and I really hope you will elaborate on this. Come along and share your stories and the Nfld/Lab slang you use. There are so many wonderful sayings to share and learn!

I just know yer slang is the best! Happy slangin’ to y’all!

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