Scotch-Irish-L Archives

Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1998-01 > 0886208860


From: Carl Backers <>
Subject: Re: Ornery
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 17:07:40 -0800


Dorothy Chance wrote:
>
> Does anyone have a notion whether the term "ornery" which is an old mountain
> saying might be derived from the language brought by the Scotch Irish in the
> 17th-18th century?
>
> I dont think I've ever heard the term applied to the female of the species,
> have you?
> "he's an ornery cuss" has the "real" ring to it!!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Edward Andrews <>
> To: <>
> Cc: HettrickHill <>;
> <>
> Date: Friday, January 30, 1998 6:18 PM
> Subject: Re: Ornery
>
> >Carl Backers wrote:
> >> > Diane Hettrick
> >> >
> >> Hi, Since I am a Yank, I know what ornery is but please give me a
> >> definition of "bloody minded". It sounds most descriptive! I am all
> >> ears.........
> >> Connie Backers
> > When used about someone whom you feel positively about, in the
> >context of he's a right blood minded so and so, it can mean someone
> >who is strong and forceful, who does not stand fools.
> > The more common use, is that someone is being bloody minded if they
> >unreasonably try to obstruct something, usually out of personal pique.
> >"He objected because he was being bloody minded"
> > A bloody minded person can also be someone who is being a pain in the
> >but.
> > I hope that this helps. Like ornery it has subtle meanings which
> >depend on the context.
> >Edward
> >--
> >St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church Dalkeith
> >Visit our Web site
> >http://www.btinternet.com/~stnicholas.buccleuch/index.htm
> >
Well, guys, let me tell you that ORNERY does not just apply to the male
gender. I have been called ORNERY by a few folks at different times in
my life. Either that or "devilish". I cannot deny that. At least I am
not boring.
Connie Backers

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