Dimpsey/dumpsey

Mouse

Mouse

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Another of those 'do you know this word?' threads.

I've frozen at 'It was getting dimpsey...' because I don't know how else to say it without using the word!

I know dimpsey is a very West Country word (you can say 'dumpsey' too, to mean the same thing. My family use both words, but they have different meanings for us!)
 
Never heard of it, either, but it sounds like something that would be clear in context. Could I have it in a sentence, please? :)
 
Um. I'd probably say, 'tis getting proper dimpsey.'

It's dimpsey out.
 
Never heard of it, and I don't think I'd have guessed it. -- to me it sounds like something to do with the weather, ie getting misty, or cold, or unpleasant.

EDIT: Mouse, I think allow a local yokel to use it in dialogue, but perhaps have someone else query it so we get an explanation.



Definition below in spoilers.


SPOILER: noun: Cornwall & Devon) the time in the evening just before dusk
 
no idea what that word means, but it is a kind-of synonym (apparently) to my favourite word of all time (whited for spoilers): crepuscular
 
The Judge said:
Never heard of it, and I don't think I'd have guessed it. -- to me it sounds like the weather, ie getting misty, or cold or something.

EDIT: Mouse, I think allow a local yokel to use it in dialogue, but perhaps have someone else query it so we get an explanation.
Click to expand...

This is the problem I've got because if I was writing one of my real-worldy things I'd leave it as dimpsey but it's for my other-worldy thing where it doesn't fit.

Definition below in spoilers.


SPOILER: noun: Cornwall & Devon) the time in the evening just before dusk
Click to expand...

Zactly! And how do you say all that in one word without using the actual word what it is - dimpsey! Gah!
 
Um... (whited again, though frankly anyone getting this far probably has already looked...) Nouns: Twilight, gloaming, eventide
 
Gloaming's weird!

Ok. So, basically I'm just wanting to say it's not dark out but it's not daylight either. To me, that's dimpsey. But what word do people who don't speak proper use?

'It was twilight out' sounds stupid. It was twilight. But I don't think that's right, is it?! Twilight seems too dark.
 
I've never heard that one before and I've lived in Devon & Cornwall for 30 years. :D

Dusk?
 
DaCosta said:
I've never heard that one before and I've lived in Devon & Cornwall for 30 years. :D
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I actually thought it was specifically Somerset, so TJ's Devon/Cornwall thing surprised me!

edit: 'Close to dusk' might work actually. Thanks, Ursa! Almost dusk. Hmm.
 
Gloaming's weird, when you're saying dimpsey?!!

Anyhow, twilight is half-light, so that's the time between day and full dusk. No, you can't say "It's twilight out" because that's another of your barbarous Zummerzetisms. :p It's just twlight.

If you don't like twilight, rearrange the sentence and talk about the pre-dusk light or something.
 
"Tis that time of day when the vampires lose their sparkle."
 
The Judge said:
Gloaming's weird, when you're saying dimpsey?!!

Anyhow, twilight is half-light, so that's the time between day and full dusk. No, you can't say "It's twilight out" because that's another of your barbarous Zummerzetisms. :p It's just twlight.

If you don't like twilight, rearrange the sentence and talk about the pre-dusk light or something.
Click to expand...

Oi! Cheeky.

Pre-dusk sounds good too actually. Ta.

allmywires said:
Crepuscular I'm telling ya... Dusk is what I would go for tbh.
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I keep reading that as crapular! ;p
 
AnyaKimlin said:
Dimming of the day ? Wonder if that is where Dimpsey comes from.
Click to expand...

Maybe! I haven't a clue, to be honest. Dumpsey means the same thing - my mum sometimes says dumpsey instead of dimpsey, but we'll also use dumpsey to mean someone a bit podgy.
 
I remember some books using dimday for the same time of day but despite my best attempts to check my bookshelf can't remember which ones.
 
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