Chummy

    Growing up in St. John's away from all immediate family was always a little sad. I didn't see my grandparents very often. When I did, however, I would always learn (and hear) something new. I was ten when I first took the "taxi" out to Little Catalina by myself to visit my nana. We were making supper on evening when she says to me "hand me dat chummy dere, wudja?". I knew she was asking me to hand her the "chummy" but I had absolutely no idea.
"What did you say you wanted nana?" I asked?
"The chummy, maid, luh." She said pointing to a ladle
     I handed her the label and assumed chummy was another word for ladle. I was very confused when later the trip she asked me for several more chummys. "Chummy" is a word you would use in place of an object. So "hand me that chummy" could mean " hand me that ladle" or glass, or any number of things.