From the comments: More on redding up

on May 27, 2008 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got a recent comment from a reader named Paul, who shed some light on "redd up," one of my favorite Yorkisms. (Check out more Yorkisms here.)

Original post here: "Let's redd up the blog"
And a post detailing another response I got here: "More redd up in honor of Christmas"

From Paul: "We grew up in the Glenwillow, Solon, Bedford area of Northeast Ohio, southeast of Cleveland, in the 1940s. We used the expression "redd up" all the time, redd up the table after eating, redd up the house if somebody was coming... it seemed to imply a little bit of haste, needing to get it done right away."

He goes on to add: "In a small Swedish dictionary it gives 'reda upp' as meaning 'to put into order'...! Perhaps the English goes back to the marauding Scandanavian pirates centuries ago!"

There's a thought... a Yorkism from pirates, how cool!

My name is Joan and I'm a lifelong Yorker. Throughout high school and college, I swore I was getting out of here as soon as possible. Now, a few years later, I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be. I love my town. And, as a local editor, I hear every day how much you love your towns, too. So please, connect with me and let's share what makes life in York County great. I'm here to help you enjoy this place as much as I do!