behint - From Ulster to America
Source: From Ulster to America: The Scotch-Irish Heritage of American English
Author: Michael Montgomery
Comments: From Ulster to America recounts the lasting impact eighteenth-century settlers from Ulster have made on the development of the English language of the United States. The book documents over 500 vocabulary items contributed to American English by these ‘Scotch-Irish’ settlers. Each ‘shared’ term with its meaning is authenticated by quotations from both sides of the Atlantic. This searchable online version of his book takes its text from the dictionary part of the second edition published by the Ullans Press in 2017.
behint prep, adv Behind. [dost behint prep/adv ‘behind’ 1375→]
Ulst.:
c1800 Thomson (in 1992 Scott and Robinson Samuel Thomson 87) Grim Calumny wad never crack / Your character behint your back.
1825 McHenry Hearts of Steel 70 It does na noo appear as I wad lang remain behint her in this world.
1881 Hart Mere Irish 53 When Saint Columb heerd them makin’ a gowk of him behint his back, and them sitting forenenst his very own nose, he was sore vexed.
1900 Irvine Lady Chimney Corner 84 Dead entirely was I but fur th’ eyes an’ th’ wit behint thim.
1910 Russell Language of Ulster 26 The word ‘behind’ may either be called ‘behine’ or ‘behint’, or probably be reformed altogether into ‘ahin’’ or ‘ahint’.
U.S.:
1895 Crane Badge of Courage 2 We’re goin’ way up the river, cut across, an’ come around in behint ’em.
1942 Thomas Blue Ridge 285 I’m a-feard of that ’mobile. I’d ruther ride behint Old Nell in the jolt wagon.
1960 Hall Smoky Mt Folks 27 She was up behint a man on a mule.
Purchase From Ulster to America
The second, revised edition of Michael Montgomery’s From Ulster to America is now available here:
From Ulster to America: The Scotch-Irish Heritage of American English (Europe)
From Ulster to America: The Scotch-Irish Heritage of American English (North America)