Posted by John Nichols on March 28, 2003 at 21:41:42 from 165.91.199.202 user Mcneacail.
In Reply to: Re: Guddling posted by John Andrews on March 28, 2003 at 20:07:55:
This is the OED definitin for guddling. I can not see that it means a mess. I note that it also is used in a political sense and even the memorable John Buchan used it.
That reminds me - the John Bucan series of books include some ripping adventures such as the THE 39 Steps. If you have not read the original I can suggest them.
The dates are the times the OED has seen the word used.
John Nichols
1. trans. To catch (fish) with the hands, by groping under the stones or banks of a stream.
1897
1818 1955
1951
1818 HOGG Brownie of Bodsbeck II. 167, I guddle them [fish] in aneath the stanes. 1897 C. M. CAMPBELL Deilie Jock 268 We waded in the burn and guddled some fine trout. 1951 F. S. CHAPMAN Mem. Mountaineer I. i. 10 About this time I learned the art of poaching... I learned to ‘guddle’ trout. 1955 ‘M. INNES’ Man from Sea vi. 66 You and a friend had been guddling Lord Urquhart's trout.
1893
fig. 1893 Nat. Observer 25 Nov. 33/2 He dished M. Constans and ‘guddled’ the Moderates by electioneering addresses hinting at religious toleration.
2. intr. To grope for fish in this manner.
1886
1881 1966
1881 Blackw. Mag. July 108 We would be plunging down the water like otter-hounds, guddling for the trout under the tree roots and beneath the stones. 1886 STEVENSON Kidnapped xxi. 202 Stripped to the waist and groping about or (as they say) guddling for these fish. 1966 J. CAIRD Perturbing Spirit xix. 204 He went about on his own, guddling in the burns, bird's-nesting.
Hence guddling vbl. n.
1895
1818
1818 HOGG Brownie of Bodsbeck II. 170 ‘So this is what you call gumping?’ ‘Yes, sir, this is gumphing, or guddling, ony o' them ye like to ca't’. 1895 Daily News 18 July 5/2 Horrible to say, Mr. Graham gives instructions for tickling trout, otherwise guddling, or gumping.