Factsheet
- Word Type: Noun
- Pronunciation:
- British English: /ˈslæb.i/
- U.S. English: /ˈslæb.i/
- Rhyming Words: tabby, shabby, grabby
- Field: Woodworking, New Zealand English (historical slang)
- First Known Use: 1877
Etymology
The term slabby comes from slab, referring to the waste pieces of wood left over during timber sawing. The suffix -y denotes a role or profession, making slabby a colloquial term for someone who deals with these waste materials in a sawmill.
Meaning & Use
Definition
- Sawmill Worker: A worker in a sawmill responsible for handling or removing the leftover waste pieces of timber (slabs) created during sawing.
- Historical Usage: Once a common role in New Zealand sawmills, the term is now considered historical and colloquial.
Quotations in Context
- 1877:
“The new chum who objects to being slabby at a mill.”
— Southland Times (New Zealand) - 1895:
“Everyone from the head sawyer to the ‘slabby,’ has to exert himself to the utmost to keep up his part of the work.”
— Southern Cross (Invercargill, New Zealand) - 1967:
“He was a slabby, loading slabs of useless wood onto a trolley and carting them away.”
— R. Grover, Another Man’s Role - 2006:
“Starting at the mill as a ‘slabby,’ cutting up offcuts into firewood, Colin moved through the ranks and did just about everything sawmillers do until it was time to retire.”
— Taranaki Daily News (New Zealand)
Pronunciation
- Phonetic: /ˈslæb.i/
- Rhyming Words: tabby, shabby, grabby
The stress is on the first syllable (SLAB), with a soft, short -y sound to finish.
Examples in Everyday Use
- Historical Context:
- “My grandfather worked as a slabby in a New Zealand sawmill during the early 20th century.”
- Describing a Role:
- “The slabby’s job was crucial to keeping the sawmill clean and efficient.”
- Narrative Usage:
- “The clumsiest slabby in the mill still worked hard, despite the challenges.”
Synonyms
- Offcut handler
- Timber waste worker
- Sawmill laborer
Cultural and Historical Relevance
- New Zealand Sawmills: The term slabby was specific to New Zealand sawmill culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Colloquial Slang: Used informally within the sawmill community, the term reflects the specialized jargon of labor roles during that period.
- Decline of Use: As sawmill processes became automated and terminology standardized, slabby fell out of regular usage.
Conclusion
Slabby is a historical term rooted in New Zealand’s sawmill industry, describing an essential but now obsolete role in managing timber waste. Its origins and usage reflect the labor-intensive nature of early woodworking practices, offering a glimpse into the cultural and industrial history of the time. Though rarely used today, it remains a testament to the evolving language of craftsmanship and industry.
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