xlvi PROCEEDINGS. 
from Ireland or the west of England. In consequence the present 
generation very generally speak with an Irish accent, and some words or 
phrases will be found in use of Irish origin. Their coasts too, having 
been from a very early period frequented by fishermen of all nations, and 
their trade bringing them in contact with people of other tongues, we 
might expect foreign words to be introduced into their speech. The 
accessions to their vocabulary from these sources, however, are few, and 
their language remains almost entirely English. Even the peculiarities 
which strike a stranger, are often survivals of old forms which are 
wholly or partially obsolete elsewhere.* 
I. I notice words which are genuinely English, but are now obsolete 
elsewhere or are only locally used :— 
An atomy or a natomy. a skeleton, applied to a person or creature 
extremely emaciated. “ Poor John is reduced to an atomy.” This is 
a contraction of the word anatomy, probably from a mistake of persons 
supposing the a or an to be the article. This use agrees with the 
original meaning of the word, which was not the act of dissecting, but 
the object or body to be dissected, and hence as the flesh was removed, 
the skeleton, a word which then denoted a dried body or mummy. 
(Greek, skello, to dry.) 
Oh tell me, friar, tell me 
In what part of this vile anatomy 
Doth my name lodge? Tell me that I may sack 
The hateful mansion. 
—Shakspeare, Romeo and Juliet, III, 3. 
Hence it came to denote a person extremely emaciated. 
They brought one Pinch, a hungry lean-faced villain, 
A mere anatomy, 
A living dead man. —Comedy of Errors, V, 1. 
Shakspeare also used the abridged form atomy in the same sense, 
which is exactly the Newfoundland meaning of the word. 
‘Thou starved bloodhound . . . thou atomy, thou.” 
—2 Henry IV, V, 4. 
The same is given by Jamieson+ asin use in Lowland Scotch. 
te) | 
*In these investigations I must especially acknowledge the assistance received 
from Judge Bennett of Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, who has not only furnished me 
with a number of words, but has carefully examined the whole list. I have also to 
acknowledge my obligations to an article by the Rey. Dr. Pilot of St. Johns, published 
in Christmas Bells, a paper issued in that city at Christmas. A few additional facts 
have been received from Mr. W. C. Earl, of the Western Union Telegraph Company, 
and others. For most of the quotations I am indebted to the Encyclopedic Dictionary. 
+ Scottish Dictionary. 
