Thanks for that clarification, Mush! That could explain the Sholing usage, then - as I recall, a number of Gypsy families (mostly the Bowers, I think - I went to St Monica School with some) lived at Botany Bay Road. Sara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Mush Carson" <edcarson1@hotmail.com> To: <ENG-SOUTHAMPTON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 11:34 PM Subject: RE: ENG-SOUTHAMPTON-D Digest V04 #153 > Hi-there all, seeing as it was me that started all this 'Mush' controversy, > I will put it to rest and inform you of the true facts of my name of 'Mush'. > When I was a very young man I was married to a fiery Romany maiden of tender > years whom used to explode into a fit of violent rage if I called her a > 'Didicoy' This being an insult to the true Gypsy Romany as the Didicoy was a > title describing a slightly lower class of Gypsy. The name 'Mush' actualy is > the Romany word for 'MAN - FRIEND' and was derived way back in Southampton > 'Ampshire when the wandering Gipsy nomads helped themselves to -- in this > case-- Corn from the surrounding fields; was boiled in water, and > there-after was called 'Mush.' To anybody that shared this meal the name of > 'Mush' affectionaly prevailed. It is more or less the same as how 'Scousers' > and other 'tucker-like' names stuck. From these facts, other parts of > England used the word 'Mush' and put their own conitations and uses of it. > True Mush ryhmes with Bush and Push. I, many years ago, being a true native > of Soton Dockland, feel I have the Ampshire right to relate these few words > on my name. Thankyou all for your interest, Best regards, --- 'MUSH' EDWARD > > _________________________________________________________________ > Check out news, entertainment and more @ http://xtra.co.nz/broadband > > ______________________________