A series of out-of-the-ordinary entries translated from the Dictionnaire Jersiais-Français.
madelle, n.f. 1. Lath, vertical bar of gate. The bars of a gate, of a small gate, of a vraic cradle, of a cart side, of a cart rack. One can translate as "slats", etc. She's got teeth like the bars of a gate - about a person. See broque.2. Stave of a cask, etc. The staves of a cask, of a barrel. Replace the staves of a barrel and clamp with a cooper's dog. To anyone who asks: What's been happening? one jokingly replies: Barrels are made of staves; and the boys kiss the girls. Some also say: What a turn-up - barrels are made of staves! etc. See also porte-vailes. Cf. G. dovelle.3. Animal's rib. There's a cow so thin you can see its ribs. One also says it about a person but with rather a pejorative meaning. He got a couple of broken ribs. He elbowed me in the ribs. It's only in Saint Ouen that we hear the term in this third sense.
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