Notes and Queries, Number 51, October 19, 1850 by Various
page 72 of 117 (61%)
page 72 of 117 (61%)
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"When a youngster, I was a great seeker for etymologies. A solitary farm-house and demesne were pointed out to me, the locality of which was termed Cad, or Cudhaber, or Cudharber. Conjectures, near akin to those now presented, occurred to me. I was invited to inspect the locality. I dined with the old yeoman (aged about eighty) who occupied the farm. He gave me the etymology. In his earlier days he had come to this farm; a house was not built, yet he was compelled by circumstances to bring over part of his farming implements, &c. He, with his men-servants, had no other shelter at the time than a dilapidated barn. When they assembled to eat their cold provisions, the farmer cried out, 'Hegh lads, but there's cauld (or caud) harbour here.' The spot had no name previously. The rustics were amused by the farmer's saying. Hence the locality was termed by them Cold Harbour, corrupted, Cadharber, and the etymon remains to this day. This information put an end to my enquiries about Cold Harbour." C.M.J. _Cold Harbour._--The goldfinches which have remained among the valleys of the Brighton Downs during the winter are called, says Mr. {341} Knox, by the catchers, "harbour birds, meaning that they have sojourned or harboured, as the local expression is, here during the season." Does not this, with the fact of a place in Pembroke being called Cold Blow, added to the many places with the prefix Cold, tend to confirm the supposition that the numerous cold harbours were places of protection against the winter winds? A.C. With regard to Cold Harbour (supposed "Coluber," which is by no means |
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