The Thirty-Nine Steps (42 page)

navigator
NOUN
a navigator was originally someone employed to dig canals. It is the origin of the
word ‘navvy’ meaning a labourer
She ascertained from me in a few words what it was all about, comforted Dora, and
gradually convinced her that I was not a labourer – from my manner of stating the
case I believe Dora concluded that I was a navigator, and went balancing myself up
and down a plank all day with a wheelbarrow – and so brought us together in peace
. (
David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens)

necromancy
NOUN
necromancy means a kind of magic where the magician speaks to spirits or ghosts to
find out what will happen in the future
He surfeits upon cursed necromancy
(
Doctor Faustus chorus
by Christopher Marlowe)

negus
NOUN
a negus is a hot drink made from sweetened wine and water
He sat placidly perusing the newspaper, with his little head on one side, and a glass
of warm sherry negus at his elbow
. (
David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens)

nice
ADJ
discriminating. Able to make good judgements or choices
consequently a claim to be nice
(
Emma
by Jane Austen)

nigh
ADV
nigh means near
He’ll never know how nigh he come to getting lynched
(
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain)

nimbleness
NOUN
nimbleness means being able to move very quickly or skillfully
and with incredible accuracy and nimbleness
(
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson)

noggin
NOUN
a noggin is a small mug or a wooden cup
you’ll bring me one noggin of rum
(
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson)

none
ADJ
neither
none can die
(
The Good-Morrow
by John Donne)

notices
NOUN
observations
Arch are his notices
(
The Prelude
by William Wordsworth)

occiput
NOUN
occiput means the back of the head
saw off the occiput of each couple
(
Gulliver’s Travels
by Jonathan Swift)

officiously
ADJ
kindly
the governess who attended Glumdalclitch very officiously lifted me up
(
Gulliver’s Travels
by Jonathan Swift)

old salt
PHRASE
old salt is a slang term for an experienced sailor
a ‘true sea-dog’, and a ‘real old salt’
(
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson)