OT Hotels in Whitby

I don't think I've ever had any problem in pubs.

Maybe it's northern pubs?

 

Maybe we're both just really scary dudes.

 

Hmmm... don't think so. Not the kind of northern pubs I frequent, anyways.

 

I'm not quite that tall.

 

Until recently I'd have said the same, but had a drunk start getting a
bit obnoxious in my local a couple of weeks ago. I mainly ignored it
until he started on the sprog, at which point I stood up, said right
I've had enough of you. Before I could take any further action two
other locals had taken an elbow a piece and chucked him out.

 

It has become so - but of course it's wrong. They are Pikeys. They
worked on the roads (Turnpikes) not the canals (Navigations).

 

You know, I've just looked and I can't. It's one of those things that I
think I've always known, but it's looking like I've always known wrong.

It appears that Pikey may predate the Turnpikes - and be a low order
soldier, or if later, then Turnpike Sailor (or traveller)...

So, I cough to being wrong on this one - and I am a bit saddened as my
definition made sense - even if it was only to me.

 

It's too late... It's time for my bag to be refilled.

 

The OED gives `pikey' as derived from `pike', as in turnpike.

 

But does not distinguish between those that built them and those that
travel them?

 

`A vagrant, a tramp; a traveller, a gypsy;', but the first quote using
the term has `1838 Times 27 Aug. 6/2 A desperate affray occurred at
Eastchurch in Sheppey, between the resident labourers and the
\u2018pikey-men\u2019, as they are termed, ...'