I was talking with Zoe last night, and her youngest was not able to get to sleep.
I got to telling her how old people used to give their grandbabies what they called a sugar tit. My Grammie swore it helped a colicy baby. Personally, I think it helped the baby mama much more.
Here’s where the regional aspect comes in. The old folks would then dip the sugar tit in whiskey or rum. Wahlah! Sleeping baby. It might be an indication of the enthusiastic rum drinking done hereabouts.
If your kids stay over at Grandma’s, you might want to ask her what exactly is in the “magic hot chocolate” that she makes them. Old ladies can be sneaky.
One of things I didn’t mention in my post about Bluenose Vernacular was the ever popular Canadian Tire sleeping pill. Since Wikpedia doesn’t have an entry for it, you will have to trust me that this is a phrase that is thrown around a lot hereabouts. Canadian Tire sells tires, yes, but is a major source of hardware and guy stuff. Therefore, the Canadian Tire sleeping pill is a hammer. Apply once, hammeree goes to sleep.
I wonder if these things are what they mean about the good old days?
Edit: I should have known there was a big weather system on the way. I’ve had wicked sinus headache pain since yesterday. Here’s hoping I don’t lose electrical power during the nor’easter that is due to blow through this evening.
Also I’ve heard my dad talk about when he was younger they used to give a child a bit of whiskey to numb a toothache until they could get to a dentist. Not sure that was the best “medicine” but it was part of the good old days for him.
