2 in the United States of America. 465 
was never more used by American than by English writers. 1 do not find 
it in any dictionary but Mr. Webster’s. 
CLAPBOARD ; “ a narrow board used to cover buildings.” Webst. A technical 
word, in general use. In England a clapboard is a“ board formed ready 
for the cooper’s use, in order to make casks or vessels.’ See Rees’ Cyclo- 
fed. articles BoaRD and CLAPBOARD, and Bailey’s Dictionary. 
CLEVER. This word is in constant use throughout Vew England, in a sense 
very different from the English. The following remarks of Dr. Wither- 
spoon will explain the American and the English significations : | 
“ Heis a very clever man. She is quite a clever woman. How often 
are these phrases to be heard in conversation? Their meaning, however, 
would certainly be mistaken when heard for the first time by one born in 
Britain. In bere cases Americans generally mean by clever, “only good- 
_ ness of disposition, worthiness, integrity, without the least regard to capac- 
ity; nay, if I am not mistaken, it is frequently applied where there is an 
acknowledged simplicity or mediocrity of capacity. But in Britain, clev- 
er always means capacity, and may be joined either toa good or bad dispo- 
sition. We say of a man, he is a clever man, a clever tradesman, a clever 
fellow, without any reflection upon his moral character, yet at the same 
time it carries BO approbation. oe it. Itis exceeding. ood English, and 
very but I it, he is al- 
so a great rogue. When prcnnege is applied pemaarily to conduct and 
not to the person, it generally carries in it the idea of art or chicanery not 
very honourable ; for example—Such a plan I confess was very clever, i. e. 
sly, artful, well contrived, but not very fair.” Withersf. Druid, No. 5. 
In speaking of any thing but men wemse the word much as the 
English do. We.say a clever horse, &c. and it is not uncommon to see in 
the London news-papers, advertisements in this form—* To be sold a c/ev- 
er grey gelding,” &c. Dr. Johnson observes, that it “ is a low word, scarce- 
ly ever used but in burlesque or conversation, and apple 2 to any thing a 
‘man likes, without a settled meaning.” 
"CLEVERLY. Used frequently in some parts of New England instead of weld 
or very well, In answer to the common salutation, How do you do - we 
- sometimes hear, Iam cleverly. I believe, however, this frequent ‘use of 
he word is confined to some particular towns. 
812 
, eal ee 
jae 
