Chapter SWALLOW to SWEET POTATO of S by The Hobson Jobson Dictionary

SWALLOW to SWEET POTATO

SWALLOW, SWALLOE, s. The old trade-name of the sea-slug, or tripang (q.v.). It is a corruption of the Bugi (Makassar) name of the creature, suwala (see Crawfurd’s Malay Dict.; [Scott, Malayan Words, 107)].

1783.—“I have been told by several Buggesses that they sail in their Paduakans to the northern parts of New Holland…to gather Swallow (Biche de Mer), which they sell to the annual China junk at Macassar.”—Forrest, V. to Mergui, 83.

SWALLY, SWALLY ROADS, SWALLY MARINE, SWALLY HOLE, n.p. Suwali, the once familiar name of the roadstead north of the mouth of the Tapti, where ships for Surat usually anchored, and discharged or took in cargo. It was perhaps Ar. sawahil, ‘the shores’ (?). [Others suggest Skt. Sivalaya, ‘abode of Siva.’] [1615.—“The Osiander proving so leaky through the worm through the foulness of the sea- water at Sually.”—Foster, Letters, iv. 22. Also see Birdwood, Report on Old Recs. 209.]

1623.—“At the beach there was no kind of vehicle to be found; so the Captain went on foot to a town about a mile distant called Sohali.…The Franks have houses there for the goods which they continually despatch for embarkation.”—P. della Valle, ii. 503.

1675.—“As also passing by…eight ships riding at Surat River’s Mouth, we then came to Swally Marine, where were flying the Colours of the Three Nations, English, French, and Dutch…who here land and ship off all Goods, without molestation.”—Fryer, 82.

1677.—“The 22d of February 167 6/7 from Swally hole the Ship was despatched alone.”—Ibid. 217.

1690.—“In a little time we happily arriv’d at Sualybar, and the Tide serving, came to an Anchor very near the Shoar.”—Ovington, 163.

1727.—“One Season, the English had eight good large Ships riding at Swally…the Place where all Goods were unloaded from the Shipping, and all Goods for Exportation were there shipp’d off.”—A. Hamilton, i. 166; [ed. 1744].

1841.—“These are sometimes called the inner and the outer sands of Swallow, and are both dry at low water.”—Horsburgh’s India Directory, ed. 1841, i. 474.

SWAMY, SAMMY, s. This word is a corruption of Skt. suamin, ‘Lord.’ It is especially used in S. India, in two senses: (a) a Hindu idol, especially applied to those of Siva or Subramanyam; especially, as Sammy, in the dialect of the British soldier. This comes from the usual Tamil pronunciation sami. (b) The Skt. word is used by Hindus as a term of respectful address, especially to Brahmans.

a.—

1755.—“Towards the upper end there is a dark repository, where they keep their Swamme, that is their chief god.”—Ives, 70.

1794.—“The gold might for us as well have been worshipped in the shape of a Sawmy at Juggernaut.”—The Indian Observer, p. 167.

1838.—“The Government lately presented a shawl to a Hindu idol, and the Government officer…was ordered to superintend the delivery of it…so he went with the shawl in his tonjon, and told the Bramins that they might come and take it, for that he would not touch it with his fingers to present it to a Swamy.”—Letters from Madras, 183.

b.—

1516.—“These people are commonly called Jogues (see JOGEE), and in their own speech they are called Zoame, which means Servant of God.”—Barbosa, 99.

1615.—“Tunc ad suos conversus: Eia Brachmanes, inquit, quid vobis videtur? Illi mirabundi nihil praeter Suami, Suami, id est Domine, Domine, retulerunt.”—Jarric, Thes., i. 664.

SWAMY-HOUSE, SAMMY-HOUSE, s. An idol-temple, or pagoda. The Sammy-house of the Delhi ridge in 1857 will not soon be forgotten.

1760.—“The French cavalry were advancing before their infantry; and it was the intention of Colliaud that his own should wait until they came in a line with the flank-fire of the field-pieces of the Swamy- house.”—Orme, iii. 443.

1829.—“Here too was a little detached Swamee-house (or chapel) with a lamp burning before a little idol.”—Mem. of Col. Mountain, 99.

1857.—“We met Wilby at the advanced post, the ‘Sammy House,’ within 600 yards of the Bastion. It was a curious place for three brothers to meet in. The view was charming. Delhi is as green as an emerald just now, and the Jumma Musjid and Palace are beautiful objects, though held by infidels.”—Letters written during the Siege of Delhi, by Hervey Greathed, p. 112.