A to Z of Period Properties

[Feltwell]

'ammer.

Something wielded by the builders I've got round at the moment. Context - "It won't bl@@dy move". "Hit it wif'an 'ammer then".

Bigger 'ammer.

Advanced technique used by above builders. Context - "It still won't bl@@dy move." "Well hit it wif'a bigger 'ammer then".

 

[BMcD]

Gareth Hughes wrote:

BMcD wrote:architrave
1.In classical architecture, the section of the entablature that rests on the columns
2. the moulding around a window or door

ashlar
Imitation block work scored into plain faced render

ASHLAR: also, the vertical section of wall below a sloping ceiling in an attic room; also, masonry dressed to a smooth face.
(ATTIC: the top storey of a multi-storey vertical classical elevation, above the main entablature, not comprised of rooms within the roof structure. From the ancient Greek province of Attica)

Thank you Gareth, I knew I was going off half-cocked, that's why I edited my post and excluded the ashlar refference

 

[Flyfisher]

'ammer.

Something wielded by the builders I've got round at the moment. Context - "It won't bl@@dy move". "Hit it wif'an 'ammer then".

Bigger 'ammer.

Advanced technique used by above builders. Context - "It still won't bl@@dy move." "Well hit it wif'a bigger 'ammer then".

Also widely used in various other industries, particularly agricultural and motor vehicle 'engineering'.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

This promises to be the most entertaining dictionary ever, with a good blend of the elevated and the prosaic! Like yer 'ammer Feltz! And I've learned so much already!

 

[JoceAndChris]

AGA: Opinion is divided as to whether this modern version of a range cooker is the indispensible heart of the period home, or just the biggest money-guzzling lump of iron the world has ever seen. Whilst many people are very passionate about their Aga and even give it a name ( there's an Aga club, an Aga magazine and Aga cookery courses are held all over the land) in the face of rising concern over energy consumption some are turning away from this once compulsory accoutrement to rural life in the period property: http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article3721176.ece

Agas have traditionally run on oil but now many options are available. According to the website:

"No matter where you live, whatever your lifestyle, there’s an AGA that fits perfectly into your home. Choose between two, three or four ovens and the source of fuel that suits you the most: natural gas, propane gas, electricity and oil (kerosene or diesel)."

If you dislike the idea of a conventional aga that's hot all the time there are now models more like an electric oven that you switch on when required. Figures available suggest that Agas that give out heat permanently cost a minimum of £600 per year to run.

It's worth noting that whilst a new Aga will cost between £6575 and £15,000 a second hand Rayburn (also made by Aga) is currently on Ebay for £51.00. Reconditioned Agas are readily available for around the £3500 mark. Combined with the cost of fuel, that's an awful price to pay for your Sunday lunch.

 

[Penners]

'ammer.

Something wielded by the builders I've got round at the moment. Context - "It won't bl@@dy move". "Hit it wif'an 'ammer then".

Bigger 'ammer.

Advanced technique used by above builders. Context - "It still won't bl@@dy move." "Well hit it wif'a bigger 'ammer then".

Also widely used in various other industries, particularly agricultural and motor vehicle 'engineering'.

See also "Impact Maintenance".

 

[Penners]

AAAAAAAAAH!

A catch-all word in general use by period property repairers. For appropriate usage, see the thread, "Graham's Top Tips".

 

[17c_lancs]

Can't wait two years for the chance to share this:

Zax

is a hand tool for cutting, trimming, and punching nail holes in slate. It comprises a heavy rectangular knife blade with a large point, of square cross section, protruding from the poll (or butt). The blade edge is used to split slate, while the point is used to pierce square holes for mounting the slate on the roof (with square copper nails) or making a series of small holes marking a line where the slate is broken over a slater's iron. The tool is mounted to a laterally offset handle to protect the user's hand from sharp slate chips.

It is also an absolutely invaluable word for confounding opponents in Scrabble!

 

[Nigel Watts]

Bigger 'ammer.

Zax notwithstanding, I guess that means we've moved on to B now.

 

[Nigel Watts]

BLUNT, ANTHONY: Infamous traitor who was nevertheless a great expert on the BAROQUE and wrote an excellent little book on BORROMINI, architect of one of my all time favorite buildings, S Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome.

 

[Michelle73]

BYRE : Otherwise known as a Cow Shed or outbuilding for animals.
Sometimes converted into houses for humans or absorbed into the home by way of extending and then turned into downstairs bathrooms...

 

[worms]

and then turned into downstairs bathrooms...

which of course lends a whole new meaning to "the muckin o' Geordie's byre"!

 

[Michelle73]

"the muckin o' Geordie's byre"!

Just googled the lyrics to said ditty and I barely understood a word of it! Been up here for 4 years now and thought I was getting to grips with the lingo but seems I've a lot to learn yet.
Our Byre turned bathroom was in such a sorry state. The single brick walls ran with water & the pitched roof was being held together by 3 rusty skylights and lots of cobwebs...Hmmm wonder if maybe that was dry rot too?......Uh oh.....!!

 

[worms]

Been up here for 4 years now

Sorry, assumed you were a native!

 

[DaveBrigg]

AT RISK
Hang on with the B's a minute! Whilst every mortgage offer now proclaims that your property is at risk if payments are not kept up, there is a small but growing number of properties classified as At Risk even if the bills are paid.

Local authorities monitor the condition of Listed Buildings in their area, and identify those which are suffering from poor maintenance or are otherwise 'at risk' of deterioration. The degree of 'risk' is classified as follows:
A. immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed.

B. immediate risk of rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; solution agreed but not yet implemented.

C. slow decay; no solution agreed.

D. slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented;

E. under repair or in fair to good repair, but no user identified; or under threat of vacancy with no obvious new user (applicable only to buildings capable of beneficial use); repair scheme in progress and (where applicable) end use or user identified; functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented.

Most local authorities maintains a register of buildings at risk, some of which are available online. Property owners can be legally required to carry out repairs, or in extreme circumstances councils may arrange for the work to be carried out and then bill the owner.

English Heritage also maintain a register of Grade 1 and II* (and Grade II in London) buildings at risk, which forms part of their 'Heritage At Risk' report. It can be searched here http://risk.english-heritage.org.uk/ to find your local crumbling castles and mouldering manor houses.

SAVE produce an anual Buildings At Risk register, more details here http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/

Buying an 'At Risk' property may seem a bizarre choice, but is more likely to garner the support of your Conservation Officer, may ensure a reduced price from an owner who doesn't want a battle with the council, and will provide a warm glow as you help to preserve the historic fabric of our nation. It will probably also empty your wallet.

Above, an 'At Risk' listed property in Melton Mowbray which is to converted into an art gallery.

 

[Cloudscape]

APOTROPAEIC, also APOTROPAIC

APOTROPAEIC MARKS and APOTROPAEIC OBJECTS are often found in old buildings. They were intended to turn away harm by distracting malevolent spirits. Examples include inscribed circles (sometimes with a daisy-wheel in them), letters, random-looking scratches, burn marks, and runes. Objects that have been found include cats, shoes, bottles (see WITCH BOTTLES) and pots.

More about apotropaic marks and objects:
http://www.apotropaios.co.uk
http://www.oldhouses.com.au/docs/ritual.html
http://www.concealedgarments.org/research/articles/eastop_garments.html

 

[Nigel Watts]

APOTROPAEIC, also APOTROPAIC

APOTROPAEIC MARKS and APOTROPAEIC OBJECTS are often found in old buildings. They were intended to turn away harm by distracting malevolent spirits. Examples include inscribed circles (sometimes with a daisy-wheel in them), letters, random-looking scratches, burn marks, and runes. Objects that have been found include cats, shoes, bottles (see WITCH BOTTLES) and pots.

Something similar still happens today. I am reliably infomed that workers constructing the new Emirates stadium for Arsenal football club left all kind of marks and scratches, usually depicting the names and insignia of rival teams. The foundations of the new extension to our house, which is some half a mile from the stadium were similarly marked. When I enquired of the labourers what these meant they infomed me, with delighted smiles suggesting immense relief at the lifting of a great curse, that it was the sign of West Ham football club, which I am told is an arch rival of Arsenal. Perhaps there is some superstition here about the need to balance conflicting spirits. They clearly did not get it right as three years later the extension began to subside.

 

[Feltwell]

Bigger 'ammer.

Zax notwithstanding, I guess that means we've moved on to B now.

Ahh - in that case:-

B@ll@cks

Context - rude word uttered when bigger 'ammer breaks whatever it is that was refusing to move. :lol:

 

[Feltwell]

AGA: Opinion is divided as to whether this modern version of a range cooker is the indispensible heart of the period home, or just the biggest money-guzzling lump of iron the world has ever seen.

I do sometimes wonder how many people think that Aga's are an original feature of a period house, such is the mystique around them - even though they were only invented in the 1920's. They're made just down the road from me, a senior manager there described them to me as "the most expensive lump of cast iron you will ever see".

 

[biffvernon]

Doesn't the first to resort to a new letter, Nigel, lose a point?

Astragal: Scottish for glazing bar.