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be used alone, leaving the more familiar appellation as it stands, for the adoption of those who prefer the homely but suggestive phraseology to which it belongs. E. L. H. _Devonianisms_ (Vol. vii., p. 630.).--_Plum_, adj. I am at a loss for the origin of this word as employed in Devonshire in the sense of "soft," _e.g._ "a _plum_ bed:" meaning a soft, downy bed. Query: Can it be from the Latin _pluma_? And if so, what is its history? There is also a verb _to plum_, which is obscure. Dough, when rising under the influence of heat and fermentation, is said to be _plumming_ well; and the word _plum_, as an adjective, is used as the opposite of _heavy_ with regard to currant and other cakes when baked. If the cake rises well in the oven, it is commonly said that it is "nice and plum;" and _vice versa_, that it is heavy. _Clunk_, verb. This word is used by the common people, more especially the peasantry, to denote the swallowing of masses of unmasticated food; and of morsels that may not be particularly relished, such as fat. What is the origin of the word? _Dollop_, subs. This word, as well as the one last-named, is very expressive in the vocabulary of the vulgar. It is applied to lumps of any substances, whether food or otherwise. Such a phrase as this might be heard: "What a _dollop_ of fat you have given me!" "Well," would be the reply, "if you don't like it, _clunk_ it at once." I should be glad to be enlightened as to the etymology of this term. ISAIAH W. N. KEYS. Plymouth, Devon. * * * * * Miscellaneous. BOOKS AND ODD VOLUMES WANTED TO PURCHASE. A NARRATIVE OF THE HOLY LIFE AND HAPPY DEATH OF MR. JOHN ANGIER. London. 1685. MOORE'S MELODIES. 15th Edition. WOOD'S ATHENAE OXONIENSES (ed. Bliss). 4 vols. 4to. 1813-20. THE COMPLAYNTS OF SCOTLAND. 8vo. Edited by Leyden. 1804. SHAKSPEARE'S PLAYS. Vol. V. of Johnson and Steevens's edition, in 15 vols. 8vo. 1739. *** _Correspondents sending Lists of Books Wanted are requested to send their names._ *** Letters, stating particulars and lowest price, _carriage free_, to be sent to MR. BELL, Publisher of "NOTES AND QUERIES," 186. Fleet Street. * * * * * {66} Notices to Correspondents. _Owing to the necessity of infringing on the present Number for the Title-page of our_ Seventh Volume, _we are compelled to omit many interesting communications, and our usual_ NOTES
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