[1] A "Bengali ghusâ" is said to be a blow inflicted with the fist,
the thumbnail protruding between the first and second finger so as
to give a scratch!
[2] = a "side" of pork.
[3] "gadân rai-hùi-nânai" = observing omens.
[4] Onomatopoeic.
[5] Assamese.
[6] A child from whose mouth milk oozes if you squeeze its throat.
[7] The Kachári version of the "Swan-maiden."
[8] Assamese "páp."
[9] Snuffling.
[10] "Felt with its beak."
[11] Assamese "kapál."
[12] "Kumari," the attendant nymph of the pool.
[13] The Kachári version of "Beauty and the Beast."
[14] Goshain.
[15] The Assamese "mat."
[16] "mâ-thù," interrogative.
[17] Yâcite
[18] Assamese râjâ hantar
[19] About two paces.
[20] Assamese bala.
[21] It was not true of him that "dígiti crepantis signa novit." The
coincidence of sound is curious.
[22] Seven "plough" of cattle.
[23] Assamese bâkayanî.
[24] This exactly corresponds to our own "Fee faw fum; I smell
the blood of an Englishman!" and the Bengali "Aù maù khaù, mánsher
gandha paù!"
[25] Query--Assamese "hingsha."
[26] The hideous Kuvera, god of wealth. He was a white man with three
legs and eight teeth. Apparently, the same as the Hindu Pluto; and
lord of the shades as well as of wealth.
[27] I.e., the season personified.
[28] A burlesque word from "zânù" = to eat.
[29] A man speaking to a woman says "lùi" (cf. "he-lùi"); a woman
speaking says "hai", and a man, speaking to his wife or other woman
with whom he is on familiar terms, says "ùi".
[30] "Dudugur" is the little drum on a handle, with a bead tied
to it. The drum is shaken from side to side, and the bead beats
it,--onomatopoeically, "dudugur, dudugur!"
[31] Not easily to be translated word for word. But the meaning is
that a woman cannot think of her work if a man passes by.