darby n Cp EDD dabby sb² 'apparition'; dobby-horse 1 'hobby-horse' [in Soulers' play]. Disguised person who participates in various group activities, esp visiting from house to house, during the twelve days of Christmas; MUMMER; a mischievous person or prankster; Hallow-e'en spectre.
   M 71-42 Some people use the expression darbies [for] groups of people dressing up in disguise and going around the community janneying. C 71-26 At that time they had a word for fellows like him—scoundrel, sly or cunning fellow. They used to call such a fellow a darby. Q 73-6 Get out o' here, you little darby, 'fore I gets a broom to you! This word [was also used of] the Halloween darby or spook. 1978 MUN Gazette 21 Dec, p. 24 You and your brothers and father now begin to make your rounds. You go from house to house, singing. dancing, dressing up as the darbies, frightening children and little old ladies with your masks and the hobby-horse, and you have a wonderful time chasing, finding and blackening your friends, particularly the ones who showed any sign of fear of the darbies.

Go Back